Here's How Your Beliefs Might Be Creating Your Anxiety

Have you noticed that certain thoughts and beliefs lead to you feeling a certain way?

Maybe your boss schedules a meeting with you. At first, you may think it's a weekly check-in, and then your thoughts lead you down a different road. You start stressing out, thinking that you're underperforming and you're about to get fired.

When the meeting finally comes, you find out that your boss just wanted to have a weekly check-in and actually tell you how great of a job you're doing.

Or maybe your partner came home from a long day at work. They're exhausted, and they just want to eat dinner and head to bed. You start questioning what you did and if they're no longer interested in you.

The next morning, they act normal. They give you a kiss and a hug. They even apologize for how tired they were the night before.

Here's how your beliefs might be creating your anxiety:

Assuming and Coming to Conclusions

Similar to the meeting example listed above, a lot of the time assumptions or coming to conclusions will have a huge impact on anxiety. This is one of the most common things that people do. Spending your time drawing conclusions without any evidence will only result in negative thoughts and feelings.

One of the best ways to combat these types of thoughts is to challenge them. Ask yourself questions like:

• How do I know this?

• What proof do I have?

• Why would that be the case?

Just by questioning yourself, you will realize that there is no proof of the beliefs you may be having and your anxiety will subside.

Over-exaggerating the Negatives

Life is filled with positives and negatives. Sometimes when something negative happens, your brain will hold on to it. When this happens, it may be hard to forget about it or move forward. This is actually known as "negativity bias," which is a mind trick that your brain will play on you.

On the other hand, your brain can also downplay positive situations and only focus on the negatives.

For example, if you make a mistake at work, your coworkers' reassurance will be overlooked, and you will end up only focusing on the small mistake you made.

Linking Negative Events to Yourself

Have you ever blamed yourself for something that went wrong, even if there isn't a connection?

Look back at the example of your partner coming home after a long day and wanting to go to bed. Instead of realizing that your partner is tired, you question what's wrong with you and what you did wrong.

The blame game will only leave you feeling all the pressure and responsibility for things you can't control.

Becoming more aware of your emotions can help you sort through them when a similar situation comes up in the future. Your emotions trigger how you feel, as well as how you think. Once you start to understand your emotions, you'll have a better idea of why you're thinking and feeling a certain way and can better work towards finding a solution.

You Are Not Your Anxiety

Even though anxiety can manifest physically and feels real, it does not have an identity outside how you respond to it.

Once you recognize it is a separate system operating within you, its importance will diminish, and gratitude and peace will take its place.

In ongoing sessions, I will help you learn how to create space between yourself and the beliefs you hold that trap you in the thought patterns that lead to anxiety.

You are always safe in the ever-present now. With my guidance and support, I can help you understand your anxiety, so it no longer rules your life. Reach out to me for anxiety therapy.