Anxiety and depression interrupted in four simple ways
Your greatest storm and hardship is where God can do the greatest miracle in your life. Hang in there because it won’t last, transformation is about to happen – Mandi Hart
Anxiety, fear, depression, and trauma are all loaded words with the tendency to evoke butterflies in one’s stomach or sadness in your heart.
In this post, I share on four simple ways to interrupt its effects in your life.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently released statistics that ever 40 seconds, someone loses their life to suicide. To create awareness, the WHO created a 40-second challenge whereby they encourage everyone to take 40 seconds to listen to someone’s story, to check in with a friend and to have a conversation with another person. We have to reach out to others intentionally.
Fear feeds anxiety and depression.
These lies fed into our minds and settle in our hearts can lock us in a virtual cage. When feelings of anxiety, fear or depression arise, they are silently guarded by lies. These lies direct your thoughts and emotions into the great cover-up. Basically, pretend that everything is okay, at all costs. Don’t let on that you are not really okay. The lie that fear breeds is that you cannot share what you are really feeling or thinking, so keep quiet. Keep the mask in place, because if you had to let others see your pain or sadness, they might think that you are weak. What a lot of hogwash!
Seeking help is a sign of great courage. Asking for support and speaking out is a brave thing to do. If you battle with anxiety, fear or depression, then take 40 seconds right now to speak out or reach out.
Seeking help is a sign of great courage. Asking for support and speaking out is a brave thing to do. If you battle with anxiety, fear or depression, then take 40 seconds right now to speak out or reach out.
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I’m high-fiving you as you do and championing your choice.
Here are four ways to lift your gaze and keep hope alive.
Firstly, make practising gratitude a habit.
We base thoughts either in fear or in love, but not at the same time. This means that our thinking shapes the landscape of our hearts and bodies. Fear leads to a myriad of emotions and physical symptoms such as
Secondly, ask someone to be your reality thermometer.
We can’t always trust what we think or feel about a situation or person. It times like these, find a family member or friend who can be that ‘reality thermometer’ for you. For a while, Neil would do that for me. After the armed robbery, I struggled with nightmares and trying to figure out what was a dream or what was real. Repeatedly, he spoke gentle words of comfort, reassurance and reality to me, even at 3am!
Third, find a safe person to speak to about your struggles.
Who can you trust? We all need to share our burdens, and a safe person is just such a place. It could be a counsellor, a psychologist, a friend or family member. But, whatever you do, don’t hold your sadness, anxiety or pain inside.
Finally, use your voice and breathe.
Speak Scriptures out loud. Just hearing your voice saying words calms one down. The other way is to learn to breathe correctly. Breathing can help settle your anxious feelings, your racing heart. In my book, Courage in the Fire, I explain breathing techniques. This book is due for release January 2020 so look out for it.
Words can help lift anxiety.
Words are powerful, therefore, consider these quotes. It will take 40 seconds to read them (I timed it) and see which one stands out to you:
“It’s okay to be scared. Being scared means you’re about to do something really, really brave.“ – Mandy Hale
“I promise you nothing is as chaotic as it seems. Nothing is worth diminishing your health. Nothing is worth poisoning yourself into stress, anxiety, and fear.“ – Steve Maraboli
“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest taken between two deep breaths.“ – Etty Hillesum
“When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened. “ – Winston Churchill
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.“ – Maya Angelou
“The elimination diet: Remove anger, regret, resentment, guilt, blame, and worry. Then watch your health, and life, improve.“ – Charles F. Glassman
“You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.” – Winnie The Pooh
Let me know which quote you like or even better share your favourite one in the comments below. By the way, if you want to reach out to someone, you can always email me, and I will listen.
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