If I said don’t think of a red balloon you’d possibly already have one bang in the middle of your mind. And if I said you don’t need to be anxious about A, B or C, I’m sure that could bring your anxious thought into focus, start your pulse on a timer and crank up the whirring feeling inside your skin.  

What if you were to welcome in your anxiety like a pal? Maybe thank it for showing up, say you appreciate it turning up to protect you, when it has been a strong protector in the past.  

That’s something I’ve had a bit of success with recently. I’ve been reading a book called ‘Addicted to Anxiety’ by Owen O’Kane. (I say reading, my concentration is poor so I’m listening to the audiobook version.) He clearly explains our relationship with anxiety and how we can become addicted to the armour it provides.  

Greeting it, placing a hand on your chest or tummy, or wherever you feel it shows up in your body, and thanking it for being there, lets you actively take control. We can out-loud tell it “thanks for turning up today, I know you’re trying to keep me safe. But today there is no lion, I have this covered and I’m safe going to this appointment. I can deal with the bus, if I’m late I’ll apologise and work it out from there, you aren’t needed here. Not today, thanks. All is well.” That physical interjection can unsettle a habit that can run free and wild on your time.  

You can’t stop anxiety from turning up, but you can re-frame your response when it does. It’s like so many things, it will take a little time to grow a new habit. But we can.  

The book is a fantastic read. I highly recommend it.  

Love from 

The room above the garage

A Moodscope member