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I'm surprised to be such an anxious person. How should I view anxiety?

anxiety, emotional stability, meditation, acceptance, living with anxiety
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I'm surprised to be such an anxious person. How should I view anxiety? By Anonymous | Published on December 18, 2024

I never considered myself anxious before, and the tests also didn't show any abnormalities. However, I've recently sensed that I am often anxious, worrying about bad things happening. These concerns are not severe and have no significant impact or change in my life. These anxieties were always denied by me, as I didn't acknowledge that I could experience them, because I believed I was an emotionally stable person and shouldn't have anxiety. Through meditation and accepting myself, I have also begun to accept that I am someone who experiences anxiety. Perhaps we don't need to strive to eliminate anxiety; living with anxiety might be a romantically colored phrase. So, how can we live with anxiety?

Isaac Brown Isaac Brown A total of 3565 people have been helped

The topic of "how to live with anxiety" is quite vast. It would undoubtedly be preferable to be with someone who is relaxed, however, this is not a possibility for everyone. Internal anxiety defenses are beneficial, while external ones are often less noticeable. What you mentioned about not having anxiety and defending against the feeling of anxiety with denial is a prime example.

It may also be the case that this is visible when the level of anxiety is relatively high, or when one is sensitive to this aspect of oneself. It is important to note that this does not imply that it only exists when it is observed, but rather that it is now more apparent.

It seems that you have already found ways to cope with your anxiety, which is admirable. If you didn't feel so good, you might not have asked this question.

It might be helpful to have someone to support you as you endure your anxiety and stay with it. This could help you to stay in the anxiety, get to know, understand and accept your anxiety, and slowly walk out of it.

It's possible that you may not fully understand what I'm saying. Perhaps the ability to be alone is not developed in an environment with no one around, but rather in the presence of others while having independent space.

It may be helpful to consider that what is learned and internalized in relationships will be more lasting and more profound.

Ultimately, it would be beneficial to aim for a state where anxiety is no longer a part of one's life.

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Richard Charles Green Richard Charles Green A total of 8879 people have been helped

Saying you're surprised you're anxious seems strange and idealistic.

You say, "I shouldn't be anxious." This means you want to be emotionally stable, and anxiety seems wrong to you.

You've already made a start by asking this question. It's good to be aware of your anxiety. You can try meditation to relieve it. You're doing well and taking care of your emotions.

Anxiety is common in this era.

Everyone feels anxiety differently. For some, it's like a short illness. Once the cause is resolved, the anxiety fades and doesn't affect long-term quality of life.

Some people find it hard to say what they are anxious about. Anxiety can affect every part of life, making it hard to sleep or eat well, concentrate at work or study, and often causing panic attacks, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. If these symptoms last for months or years, it is likely to be an anxiety disorder.

We need to know the difference between everyday anxiety and anxiety disorders.

First, let's talk about non-pathological anxiety. This is normal for everyone. Anxiety and tension in everyday life are similar.

Anxiety can make our hearts race, our palms sweat, our mouths dry, and even make us feel dizzy.

This is a normal reaction to something that has happened. Once the situation is over, we stop feeling anxious.

If you're not feeling well and go to the hospital for tests, you might feel anxious before you get the results. You might feel cold, your heart might beat fast, and you might lose your appetite and have trouble sleeping.

However, most people feel better after getting a test result that shows they are not sick. Even if you are very nervous when reading the result, you will feel better after knowing that you are fine.

General anxiety is not a disease or disorder. It is a normal reaction, like sweating when we are hot or going to the toilet when we drink too much water. It changes with our situation.

If you have an anxiety disorder, you will still feel nervous, worried, and afraid even if the test says you are fine.

Sweating when it's hot is normal, but if we're always in a hot environment and keep sweating, our body can't handle it. This kind of persistent anxiety is anxiety disorder.

There are many types of anxiety disorders. The most common is generalized anxiety disorder. Symptoms include worrying about everyday things, trouble controlling worry and tension, difficulty concentrating, being easily irritated, trouble resting, trouble falling asleep, feeling tired, and physical symptoms.

People with generalized anxiety disorder often have physical symptoms too. These include muscle tension, aches, pain, difficulty swallowing, shaking or twitching, sweating, breathlessness, and needing to go to the toilet frequently.

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Heidi Heidi A total of 120 people have been helped

Hello!

Anxiety is a feeling of unease caused by the fear that something bad may happen in the future. But here's the good news: such things have not happened, and they may not necessarily happen!

Anxiety is on the rise in today's society, and it's a great opportunity for growth! It's a direct response to various internal competitions and anxieties about school districts.

I'm so excited to share with you three simple ways to relieve anxiety!

First, establish effective boundaries. This is an important step! Among your affairs, some are within your control and you are responsible for them, while others require the cooperation of others or you expect others to do them, which is not within your control. You need to be clear about these differences.

Second, translate it into effective behavior. Anxiety, although it makes people feel uncomfortable, has an important function: to motivate effective behavior!

Once you have set effective boundaries, you can reduce your anxiety by taking care of the part you are responsible for first. And we say that action is the absolute best way to reduce anxiety!

And now for the third step! It's time to be aware of your internal motivation. Ask yourself: what is your true inner need?

So, what is your goal? Avoid lofty and perfect goals. Adjust your goals appropriately and set them at a level that you can achieve with a little effort and effective behavior!

I wish you an early release from excessive anxiety!

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Helena Helena A total of 6365 people have been helped

Good day. I am a regular listener at Yixinli, and I am pleased to have this opportunity to engage in a question-and-answer session with you.

In light of the questions you have posed, it seems more accurate to view this as a summary and reflection of your own thinking rather than as a question.

I am particularly impressed by your self-awareness, which has evolved from resisting anxiety to accepting it, and from denying anxiety to acknowledging that you can also experience it. This process may not have been straightforward, but it has undoubtedly facilitated personal growth.

It is evident that there is a discrepancy between the willingness to coexist with anxiety and the perception of anxiety as a negative and vulnerable state.

It seems prudent to begin by accepting that the digital age is a distinct era, that many of the challenges we face are the result of broader societal changes, and that anxiety is a defining feature of this era.

Secondly, it may be beneficial to engage in more self-care, demonstrate greater kindness towards oneself, and adopt a less judgmental and critical stance in the face of adversity or circumstances that do not align with one's expectations. Reflective analysis of the origins of these difficulties may prove insightful.

It would be beneficial to identify the actions that were taken correctly and the factors that constrained our ability to perceive things differently at the time.

It is essential to gain an understanding of the self in that particular moment and the decisions that were made at that time.

Thirdly, it is imperative that we maintain our awareness. In order to do so, we must endeavour to ascertain the underlying causes of our anxiety.

It is often the case that the source of our anxiety is not the situation itself, but rather an expectation of what we believe we should achieve.

It is necessary to evaluate the reasonableness of these expectations. Is it feasible to allow for a period of adjustment and growth?

It is imperative to recognize the intrinsic value of each experience, as every journey in life represents a unique opportunity for understanding and growth.

In conclusion, as numerous respondents have asserted, anxiety can also exert a beneficial influence. It has the capacity to transform pressure into motivation, thereby imparting a constructive impact on one's life. Zeng Guofan, for his part, observed that "of all the things in the world, half are motivated by greed and half by pressure."

He has also demonstrated personal growth and improvement through the experience of stress and anxiety.

It is a common misconception that acceptance equates to contentment with the status quo and satisfaction with one's imperfections. In reality, the more crucial aspect is self-honesty.

Acceptance is the process of recognizing one's authentic self and establishing a clear distinction between the self and external influences. When individuals engage in honest self-reflection and a deep level of introspection, anxiety can serve as a driving force behind their actions.

It is my hope that this response will prove useful. Furthermore, I believe that after reading the responses of others, you, who are inclined to thoughtful reflection, will be able to form your own conclusions. I am eager to hear your insights and perspectives in response to this discussion.

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Daphne Woods Daphne Woods A total of 9486 people have been helped

Good day, host. I am July.

After reviewing your description, I have a better understanding of the question you wish to ask, so I will provide my support in the form of a hug.

From your description, I can appreciate that you are currently in a state of fairly good self-awareness. Rather than allowing yourself to be trapped in an anxious situation, you have also considered ways to deal with the problems you are currently facing. In this regard, you have also gained valuable insight.

Indeed, the majority of individuals encounter challenges similar to those you have described. Many individuals remain in these situations, while only a select few take the initiative to identify solutions. Therefore, your ability to identify potential solutions is a noteworthy achievement, particularly in comparison to the majority of individuals in similar circumstances.

The solutions you mentioned in your description are also highly beneficial and applicable to many individuals experiencing anxiety. I have also provided a summary of additional methods to assist you in alleviating your current situation, which I hope will be of some assistance.

(1) It is important to relax and take things slowly, and to avoid placing excessive pressure on yourself, as this can exacerbate the current situation.

(2) It is important to note that anxiety is a common experience, though the intensity may vary from person to person. When faced with anxiety, it is advisable to approach it with a gradual acceptance rather than a direct confrontation.

(3) When experiencing elevated anxiety levels, it is recommended to engage in open communication or physical activity to facilitate its release, as opposed to attempting to suppress it.

(4) The majority of anxiety is related to the current situation, so to better resolve your current anxiety, you can first resolve the situation, and then the anxiety will naturally dissipate for a short period of time.

(5) It is advisable to focus on the present. It is not possible to control events that have not yet occurred. Therefore, it would be beneficial for you to concentrate on your current tasks.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my personal regards to you and the world at large.

Please accept my best wishes for your success.

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Rowan James Vaughan Rowan James Vaughan A total of 8685 people have been helped

I hope my answer can be of some help to you.

I believe the host has a deep awareness of himself, so I'll give you a thumbs-up. I don't think we need to worry about eliminating anxiety, as it's a natural emotion that can be triggered by many things. In fact, most anxiety is caused by our worries about the future. You can go and notice it for yourself: when you are not sure about the future and not confident enough, do you start to become anxious?

I believe you are correct in your assessment. If we believe that we should not experience anxiety, it is likely that we will become even more anxious when we do feel it. However, it is important to recognize that anxiety is a natural emotion and that it serves a purpose. In fact, anxiety can have a positive effect.

For instance, in ancient times, when our ancestors had no place to live and encountered wild animals, they needed anxiety to alert them to the potential danger. If we don't feel anxious, we may be inclined to stand still and wait to be eaten. Whether we choose to confront the wild animals or choose to escape, both are ways to deal with danger.

As evolution progressed, anxiety developed various levels. Sometimes we may find ourselves facing a tiger, sometimes a fox, and sometimes just a kitten...

It is worth noting that while society is much safer than before, the anxiety gene is still present. On occasion, individuals may feel compelled to come out to work, and in certain instances, this can result in anxiety that is similar to seeing a tiger when we encounter what might be considered "kitten-level" danger.

It would be beneficial for us to be mindful of whether we might be overreacting to reality. It could be helpful to consider whether we are perhaps encountering just a kitten but thinking we have seen a tiger.

I hope you will find the following advice helpful:

1. It may be helpful to continue accepting the existence of anxiety, without forcing yourself to live with it, but rather seeing the meaning behind it.

Many negative emotions are understandable. Anxiety is no different. It serves as a reminder that it's important to pay attention to certain needs.

When we face a challenge and experience anxiety, it could be that we may benefit from building our confidence or re-evaluating our perspective on the challenge.

Anxiety can be compared to the flashing "low fuel" warning light in a car. It may evoke negative emotions, but it serves as a gentle reminder that we need to replenish our resources or consider stopping before we run out of fuel.

For instance, a single mother may experience restlessness due to the recent dismissal of her colleague. This anxiety may stem from the concern that she, too, may face similar circumstances, potentially impacting her ability to provide a stable life for her child.

It might be helpful to view this worry as a reminder to prepare for the future. It could be that she needs to work hard, learn more skills, or even find more fallback options. In short, anxiety is a signal that she needs to prepare for the future.

It may be helpful to consider that a certain amount of anxiety can actually promote our development and growth. When we are aware of our lack of confidence and the importance we attach to it, it might be beneficial to try to satisfy this part of our needs in a way that aligns with our values. This could involve self-belief, self-affirmation, recognizing our abilities, encouraging ourselves to take action, and giving ourselves positive mental suggestions. Once we have done so, it might be helpful to implement the plan with both feet on the ground, focus on the process rather than the result, do our best, and allow things to unfold naturally.

2. You might consider trying to turn anxiety into anticipation and excitement.

2. You might consider transforming anxiety into anticipation and excitement.

I once had the pleasure of listening to a live broadcast by Lin Congren, in which he made an interesting observation. He mentioned that the brain area responsible for experiencing anxiety is the same as the one associated with feeling excited or looking forward to something. If you find yourself feeling anxious about something, it might be helpful to try changing your mindset and focusing on the positive aspects of the situation.

You may find that your state of mind shifts quite significantly.

For instance, if you are feeling anxious about an upcoming exam, you might try transforming that anxiety into anticipation. You could imagine the results of your studies during this period, anticipate the types of questions you might encounter, and see if that helps to make the experience a little easier.

3. There are a few methods you can try to help relieve anxiety.

3. There are a few methods you can use to help relieve anxiety.

For instance, when you are feeling anxious, you might consider engaging in some meditation exercises to help you focus on the present moment and avoid dwelling on future concerns. Another option could be to embrace the comfort of a hug, as this can release oxytocin in our bodies, creating a sense of warmth and happiness, which can help to ease anxiety. Additionally, you could explore some coping strategies, such as adopting abdominal breathing to help relieve the physical symptoms of anxiety and calm your uneasy emotions.

Take a moment to recall the series of reactions your body may experience when anxiety arises. For instance, your heart rate may increase, your breathing may become faster, your muscles may tense, and you may even feel nauseous.

It is often thought that these reactions are the body's natural stress response to anxiety and that they are uncontrollable. However, it may be possible to control them through training and reduce the impact of anxiety on the body. When the physiological response weakens, it may be the case that the anxiety also weakens.

One possible way to reduce physiological reactions is to consider changing your breathing method and learning to use abdominal breathing.

There are two main types of breathing: thoracic breathing and abdominal breathing. Thoracic breathing involves breathing through the chest, which can be fast and shallow, or even very rapid.

Abdominal breathing involves using the abdomen to breathe, which can help to relax the body.

It is not uncommon for us to unconsciously adopt chest breathing when we are feeling anxious or nervous. In such instances, it can be beneficial to try changing the breathing method and using abdominal breathing, as this can help to relax the body and relieve anxiety.

Could I perhaps inquire as to how one goes about performing abdominal breathing?

If I might suggest, begin by placing one hand on your abdomen so that you can feel the rise and fall of your abdomen. Then, slowly inhale deeply, allowing as much air as possible to enter your body and feel your abdomen rise to its fullest extent.

If you would like to make your inhaling slower, you might try mentally counting to five. Then, while your abdomen is bulging to the maximum, you could hold your breath and still mentally count to five.

Finally, we exhale slowly, while still silently counting for five seconds. As we exhale, we begin to feel our body slowly relax and become limp.

This completes a complete set of abdominal breathing. We have the option of doing ten sets per exercise, with a short rest of a few seconds between each set. During the exercise, it may be helpful to pay attention to maintaining a smooth and even breathing.

It would be beneficial to practice abdominal breathing twice a day for 3 to 5 minutes each time, for at least two weeks, so that it becomes a habit. Through these exercises, we can potentially reduce the physiological response caused by anxiety, relax our bodies, and relieve our restless emotions.

I would like to suggest a book that I think you might find helpful in learning more about anxiety and ways to cope with it: "Coping with Anxiety." I believe you will find it beneficial to read it.

Please feel free to refer to this information as needed. Wishing you the best!

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Taylor Jamie Turner Taylor Jamie Turner A total of 2636 people have been helped

Hello, question asker! I'm Enoch, your answer provider.

From not accepting their anxious state to accepting themselves and learning to coexist with their anxious state in a friendly way.

In fact, psychologists have come up with lots of ways to deal with anxiety. One of these is to try to turn anxiety into excitement. This can help you to accept anxiety better.

If you're feeling anxious about something, don't try to force yourself not to think about it or have a pessimistic attitude about the outcome. Instead, make some reasonable plans and changes so you can achieve your goals and solve problems through reasonable plans and by putting the plans into action every day. This will turn goals into actions and gradually bring you closer to the goal, rather than having unrealistic hopes that the goal can be achieved overnight. In this process, you can not only solve anxiety problems, but you can also view and deal with problems objectively, and anxiety will disappear on its own.

Additionally, some gentle exercise can help reduce nervous excitement and thus reduce anxiety. For instance, swimming not only exercises the whole body, but also makes you feel tired, reduces nervous excitement, and reduces anxiety.

Having a regular daily routine and the chance to plan out your life goals will help you figure out what you want, make your life more fulfilling, reduce anxiety, give you a better sense of control over your life, and eliminate tension and fear.

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Comments

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Xanthe Page Learning is a journey that takes us from confusion to clarity.

I can relate to feeling anxious even when everything seems fine. It's like a quiet storm inside that no one else sees. Accepting it as part of me has been the key, not trying to fight it but finding peace within it.

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Guy Jackson Life is a flower that needs sunlight and rain.

Embracing anxiety doesn't mean giving in to it. It's about acknowledging its presence and learning to coexist. I've found comfort in small daily practices, like mindful breathing or journaling, which help me navigate through these feelings without letting them define me.

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Parker Miller Teachers are the builders of bridges between ignorance and enlightenment.

Living with anxiety can indeed be seen as a form of strength, not weakness. It's taught me to be more patient and compassionate with myself. Maybe we should view anxiety not as an enemy but as a companion that pushes us to grow and understand ourselves better.

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Troy Anderson Learning is a flame that can light up the darkest corners of ignorance.

It's interesting how accepting our anxiety can transform it from something we fear into something we learn from. For me, it's become a reminder to slow down and appreciate the present moment, rather than worry about what might never happen.

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Rosemary Thomas The more we grow, the more we learn to embrace change.

Anxiety used to feel like a shadow, always there but hard to grasp. Now, I see it as part of my human experience. Learning to live with it means giving myself permission to feel without judgment, and finding beauty in the complexity of emotions.

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