Debunking 3 Anxiety Myths for Better Mental Health

In this enlightening episode, uncover the three myths about anxiety and worry that might be keeping you stuck. Discover the truth behind these misconceptions and learn four actionable steps you can take right now to improve your overall well-being. Plus, don't miss out on a free Anxiety/Worry Tracker to help you on your journey to better whole health. Tune in and start taking control of your anxiety today!

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Transcript

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Welcome to Anchored Not Anxious. This is where you gain a deep belief your life matters to God and discover the anchoring practices to manage anxiety and worry. I'm Terri Hutchinson, your host. What we believe about chronic anxiety and worry can hurt or help us. Here's myth number one. Everybody has anxiety. It's no big deal. Truth. Yes, everybody has an anxiety response. It's our biological warning system, stimulating fight or flight mode. We need it. Especially when that loose dog races toward you. Adrenaline surges, the heartbeats faster so you can either run or fight. That type of anxiety is an expected response. Your anxiety or worry becomes a big deal when it's activated, not by an external threat, but by what you think. Anxiety or worry created by fearful thoughts or a constant replaying of a prior conversation is a stressor. Obsessing or what iffing about a possible negative outcome turns the anxiety response into overdrive. These are just a few examples of why anxiety is a big deal. Myth number two. You can ignore your chronic anxiety. Truth. Nearly every one of us lives with tension or stress at low levels. That's life, right? It ebbs and flows, but it's not a chronic state. A chronic state of anxiety can result in a diagnosed clinical generalized anxiety disorder requiring treatment and management for quality, whole health.. Let's imagine a scale from zero to 10. Now zero to three represents the occasional stressors. And the eight to 10 range represents clinical anxiety. This leaves the range of four to seven and this represents those of us who bear the increasing burden of anxiety and worry. We can push it aside. We can ignore it but eventually it will reach a critical point bursting forth as high anxiety and overwhelm. Ignoring it using unhealthy coping and burying it doesn't make it lessen, or resolve. This is the strategy I used leading up to February, 2019. I had a series of life changes and loss creating fear, filled thoughts and anxiety-inducing regrets. I ruthlessly shamed myself into believing I've got this. I used aromatherapy oils and massage. I drank alcohol. I read self-help books. I leaned on Jesus. And I drew back into myself and away from people for fear they would see I was not handling everything well. If I had been honest with myself, I might have avoided the mental and emotional damage I suffered. I tried to ignore it. But that strategy did not work. Myth number three. Christian shouldn't be anxious. That shows a lack of faith and trust in God. Jesus knows anxiety erases your belief God is for you and with you. I let fear cause me to forget I don't need to be afraid. Fear's super power is it chases away faith. Fear can chase away faith if we are not anchored to God in a trust relationship. But even in our trusting God, fear and anxiety try to shake us down and storm the doors of our trust. Doubt and questioning are part of the trust process and not as sign of a lack of faith. Is it possible to completely reject doubt and absolutely trust God in every circumstance.? I don't think so. And here's why. How many times in the Bible does God say be strong and courageous? Why does God reassure his people over and over that he is with them. Because we need it. If anyone questions your faith, as you falter in your trust of God, remember, your Savior knows your struggle to trust. And there is no condemnation from Christ. Examining these three beliefs surrounding anxiety help us recognize anxiety can be a big deal. You shouldn't ignore it. And anxiety is not a sign of a lack of faith. So what needs to happen for us to live well? Number one acknowledge your ongoing anxiety and worry is a big deal and you cannot outrun it or ignore it. Number two. No shaming. No,"I should or can do better". Number three. Stop comparing yourself to the other women you know. How many women look like they are juggling all the balls and appear as if it's all in a day? Maybe they are, and perhaps these dependable, efficient overachieving meeting, the deadlines kind of women may in fact be just as anxious as you and me. We don't know. Stop the comparisons. Number four. Live well by tracking worry and anxiety. This gives you perspective. Take the time to document how often you feel anxious. Determine the dominant force activating it. How does anxiety affect your mental stamina? How does it affect your relationships? Assess how much time you spend replaying or working out that worry or problem. For some of you owning your anxiety and tracking the triggers, maybe the first steps toward healing. Our soul seeks to be settled, secure, and stable. We want to know we aren't alone with our deepest concerns. And we are not alone. Are you able to see God as the ultimate caregiver? The one who doesn't get burnout, walk away, need a vacation or become too burdened to carry our load. He never leaves your side, especially when you falter to trust his ways. Of course, I can appreciate your view that God isn't all that. It can be a struggle to believe God is trustworthy and then the test it. I found tracking God showing up in my life is what led me to trust him. And maybe it will help you too. Before we part ways, I encourage you to fill out the anxiety worry tracker I created to support your healing journey. You'll find the link on the podcast website. Thank you for listening. Remember God is for you and with you. Until next time.