Living with an anxiety disorder means I often find myself overwhelmed by worries — both trivial and significant. I fret about mundane things, like whether my laugh sounds off, and grapple with larger concerns, such as my body image and the love I show my pets. Despite taking several medications, anxiety still creeps in, leading to episodes of shaking and sleeplessness.
Recently, I discovered a refreshing coping technique from an online post by a mental health advocate named Sarah. It was stunningly simple yet incredibly effective, and I felt compelled to try it.
Just moments after reading Sarah’s thoughts, I stood before the mirror and thought, “I dislike my body.” I paused, reimagined those words in the voice of a well-known public figure, and retorted, “Take a hike!” This unexpected response left me feeling surprisingly empowered.
I continued this practice. While lying next to my partner one night, I caught myself thinking, “Ugh, my stomach is terrible.” I stopped, mentally replayed it in the same voice, and replied, “You’re not the boss of me, you arrogant blowhard!” This felt liberating. I was able to cuddle my partner without the weight of negativity dragging me down.
However, this approach didn’t help as much with the vague, lingering anxiety that often strikes without warning. For those feelings, I found that prescribed medication like Xanax remains the most effective solution.
What was remarkable, though, was how channeling my frustrations into dismissing a figure I found frustrating worked wonders for my self-critical thoughts. When my children snuggled around me at bedtime, I thought, “I’m going to mess them up with my issues.” Recognizing that thought, I mentally reshaped it and told that figure off again. This felt good and left me embracing my kids warmly as I said goodnight.
I used this technique repeatedly. I tossed aside worries about meeting deadlines, annoying my editor, or not spending enough time with my little ones. Each time, I crafted more inventive comebacks directed at the same figure who embodies a lot of what I find troubling in the world today.
This method isn’t a replacement for therapy or medication; I still rely on them. Yet, integrating this approach into my mental health toolkit has proven beneficial. It aligns with established therapeutic techniques, such as Teflon Mind, where negative thoughts are allowed to pass without sticking. This method also resonates with cognitive behavioral therapy, which emphasizes recognizing and challenging negative thoughts.
Incorporating this technique into my routine may yield positive effects on my mental well-being.
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In summary, while anxiety can be a heavy burden, the strategy of verbally dismissing negative thoughts, especially when framed in the voice of a public figure, has become a surprisingly effective coping mechanism for me. This technique, combined with professional help, offers a hopeful avenue for managing anxiety.
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