Your Worries Are Not Reality

It's generally ok to worry about certain things we fear will ensue. This can be a useful instinct because it's a warning bell that can motivate us to find solutions or make preparations.

But our anxieties can occasionally overwhelm us. This is when we cannot seem to enjoy anything because we are too afraid of what's to come. Some of us cannot relax or sleep. Some of us even suffer panic attacks, where we feel we cannot breathe, that the world is collapsing around us, or in extreme cases, even harbour fleeting thoughts of suicide.

When this happens, it's important for us to remind ourselves that our worries are not reality. They are a distortion of reality, an illusion of exaggeration that we give wings in our mind. We imagine all the worst things that could happen, but these scenarios are not based on fact; they are not based on anything but our imagination.

So if you're feeling anxious about something, especially something you realistically cannot do anything about, stop and turn your attention to something else, preferably something soothing. Go for a swim or a jog. Talk to someone.

Worries grow bigger by repetition and concentration; they like building upon themselves. So deny your worries that opportunity and switch your focus!

Another good way to alleviate your worries is to challenge them with rational thought. As I said before, worries are fancy concoctions of the mind, and when countered with objectivity and common sense, they often look rather silly. We also often read too much into how things look or what people say and assume that it's going to produce a negative result.

But turn to the facts instead. If I needed, find out more. Simply ask. Do your research. There are often many aspects to any occurrence. Is it possible it could actually be good for you in some way? Perhaps it's focusing you to do something you know you should but have just been terribly lazy about or been fearful of it?

When you're having an anxiety attack, remember that your worries are not reality. They're most likely fabrications of an over-active mind! So either let the fear go or let the facts inform your preparatory or remedying action.

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Eugine Loh, 938Live, MediaCorp Pte Ltd