Pay attention to what you can control. If the future were completely under our control—or at least predictable—there would be nothing to be anxious about. Feeling in control reduces anxiety, worrying, and even pain.7 These effects are mediated by the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, so strengthening dorsolateral activity helps create an upward spiral.8 You can do this by simply paying more attention to what is in your control, which helps modulate your brain activity and quickly reduces anxiety.
