How To Stop Being So Afraid Of Everything
Oct 24, 2024Do you find yourself worrying constantly—about everything? For some, anxiety is localized, like feeling nervous around a boss or avoiding social situations. But for others, it’s more pervasive—a continuous cycle of “what-ifs” about health, finances, relationships, and the future. If you’re caught in the grip of generalized anxiety, it can feel like there’s always something to worry about, even during moments that should be peaceful. Does this sound familiar?
The Truth About Generalized Anxiety
"Generalized anxiety isn’t just about fear of a specific thing," says Dr. Aziz. "It’s a constant state of worry, scanning the horizon for potential threats, even when everything seems fine."
It’s not uncommon to find yourself caught in a loop of generalized anxiety. You could be relaxing with family or enjoying a nice moment, yet still feel a nagging sense of unease in the background. The constant tightness in your chest or stomach, a low-grade fear that something could go wrong at any moment, never seems to go away. So how do we break this cycle?
1. Recognize the Source is Inside, Not Outside
The first step is understanding that the world isn’t actually full of threats—it just feels that way because of the way your mind is operating. "The problem isn’t outside of you. It’s inside," Dr. Aziz explains. The pattern of thinking that creates worry is often embedded in our minds, making even harmless situations seem dangerous. Once you grasp this concept, you can start to change it.
2. Identify the Worry Loop
The hallmark of generalized anxiety is a pattern of chronic worry. Your brain is scanning for threats, but it’s not good at estimating the likelihood of those threats actually happening—or how severe they would be if they did. You might think, "What if this happens? What if I can’t handle it?" And before you know it, you’re tangled in a web of anxious thoughts.
Dr. Aziz points out, "Chronic worry feels like it's protecting you, but in reality, it’s keeping you trapped. It’s making everything seem scarier than it really is."
3. Worry Isn’t Protecting You—It’s Holding You Back
Many people feel that worrying helps them stay prepared for the worst. But in truth, worry is not a form of problem-solving. It’s more like an endless loop of fear that doesn’t lead to action. As Dr. Aziz puts it, "Worry doesn’t prevent bad things from happening. It doesn’t solve problems. It just drains your energy."
To break free, you have to realize that your worry isn’t helping. Instead of obsessing over every possible outcome, label your thoughts as "worry" when they arise, and gently redirect your focus. Practice saying, "That’s worry," and move on without feeding the anxious thought.
Final Thoughts: Surrender the Need for Control
At the root of generalized anxiety is an excessive need for control. We want to know what’s going to happen, and we want to feel like we can prevent bad things from occurring. But the reality is, life is uncertain. True peace comes from learning to surrender to that uncertainty, trusting that you can handle whatever comes your way.
Dr. Aziz’s final message of hope: "You can retrain yourself. As someone who has battled anxiety and come out on the other side, I know it’s possible. The world starts to feel like a much safer place when you’re no longer carrying a sense of impending doom. And that’s a freedom worth fighting for."
Are you ready to start your journey toward freedom from anxiety? Start small, but take that first step today. Share what resonated with you in the comments below, and as always, remember: You are enough. You are awesome.
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