The 7 Deadly Sins of Anxiety: Identifying Them in Order to Avoid Them

The 7 Deadly Sins of Anxiety: Identifying Them in Order to Avoid Them

By Alex P. Keats

Next to depression, excessive and chronic anxiety is most common mental disorder, affecting upwards of almost 20% of the US population. Regardless of the specific type, they all have one thing in common: These disorders make you engage in behaviors you normally wouldn't - and further cement the hold anxiety has on you. Most would agree that it is generally what we're unaware of that tends to wreak the most havoc in our lives.

In this article, we'll take a look at the importance of identifying the seven most common ways we unconsciously reinforce our anxiety. Next, we will offer seven suggestions to reduce or eliminate our tendency to engage in these destructive perceptions and behaviors that keep us stuck. In the end, it is my hope that you identify specifically what you must avoid in order to cure your anxiety. This article will be an excellent start.

We can only understand and change what we're first aware of. In this Spirit, let's continue and identify what we must avoid in order to leave our anxiety behind for good.

Here are the 7 Deadly Sins of Anxiety to Avoid...

Deadly Sin #1: A Strong Tendency to Isolate

Whenever we're feeling good, we tend to want to be in the company of others, don't we? When we are happy and upbeat, don't we often pick up the phone and call a friend to simply chat, or make plans to get together? When we aren't feeling so good, we tend to withdraw from the world around us.

The next time you find yourself isolating, force yourself to reach out and make that phone call or make plans to meet that friend. Be honest with what you're experiencing and let that person know you could really use a friend right now. You have people in your life right now that are more than willing to support you, but won't unless you ask them.

Deadly Sin #2: Consuming Stimulants

You want to know a key insight I didn't see for the longest time? In order to be at rest mentally and emotionally, your body must be at rest. I can't tell you how many years it took me to recognize this simple fact. Try getting all jacked up on five cups of coffee and being at rest. It just won't work.

If you are addicted to coffee, sugar, caffeine, energy drinks or any other stimulant, deeply consider the toll it's taking on your mental and emotional wellbeing. Anxiety and stimulants don't go together, so you may want to decide what you value more in your life - consuming stimulants or curing your anxiety.

The truth is, you can't have both. You may think you can, but you can't. The mind and the body may seem separate, but they truly are one. Stimulate one and the other follows. Bring one to rest and the other follows. Make the decision to rid yourself of stimulants, at least for the time being.

Deadly Sin #3: Refusing to Accept Your Anxiety

Refusal can come in many forms. You can refuse to accept your anxiety by running from it, wishing it wasn't there, or by engaging in distraction strategies like sleep, drugs, alcohol, television and reading. However, none of them ultimately work. They may provide temporary relief but that's about it.

You've heard it before - what you resist persists. Don't just simply read this and agree or disagree. Get real curious and see if this principle is really true in your own direct experience. Is it true that what I resist persists? There are countless things you presently resist. Pick one and experiment with it. What you find may pleasantly surprise you.

And if it's already happening, can you say yes to it? Can you say yes to what is already happening, as it's happening? Regardless of what's happening, the only problem we ever have is when we refuse to accept what is actually happening. But don't believe me; find out for yourself.

Deadly Sin #4: Being Overly Sedentary and Inactive

Being sedentary and inactive is what anxiety feeds on. Counter that habit and starve it. Find out the activities you are naturally drawn to and begin to engage in them, but don't overdo it. Go slow at first, but be consistent. You may be surprised at how much better you'll feel after a brisk walk out in nature.

Avoid the tendency to be sedentary and inactive, especially if you want to overcome your anxiety. Go for a brisk walk and breathe in that fresh air - and notice how much better you feel. The benefits of low-impact exercise have been proven time and time again. Something this simple pays huge dividends, especially over a period of time.

Deadly Sin #5: Wallowing in Negative Self-Talk

Granted, 'stinkin thinkin' often arises when anxiety arises, but how you respond to it is what really matters. Are you buying into the negative self-talk and wallowing in it, or do you respond by saying, "Thanks for sharing, but since I know what I think about I bring about, I choose to think positive thoughts today."

Become a thought detective and question the validity of what your mind is telling you. It's a great way to interrupt the negative self-talk. Asking, "Is that really true" is an effective way to weaken any self-defeating thought that has a hold on you. Even the doomsayer in your mind must be honest when you ask what it says is true or not!

Deadly Sin #6: Being Preoccupied With What Others 'Might' Think

Your mind will imagine all sorts of unpleasant things others 'might be' thinking about you. It can leave you paranoid, embarrassed, ashamed and insecure! This has got to be one of the biggest energy wasters of all.

Once you see through the belief that not caring about what others think of you makes you a cold and callous person, you are on your way to a life of peace and happiness. Why? Because it frees up that energy so it can be used towards curing your anxiety.

Imagine being a kind and caring person that has the attitude, "what you think of me is none of my business!" At first glance, it does seem callous and uncaring - but it isn't. Is it really truly your business what others think of you? No, it isn't.

Being preoccupied with what others might think of you actually weakens you. It robs you of the attention and energy needed for your own recovery - and reinforces the illusion that you aren't enough just as you are. Believe me when I tell you, you are. Besides, you can never know what another might be thinking about you. In the end, it doesn't matter, and it's not your business.

Deadly Sin #7: Being Identified With Your Thoughts and Feelings

Are you your thoughts and feelings or do you have thoughts and feelings? If you identify with the negative thoughts in your mind, then you will also identify with the corresponding negative emotion in your body. As we said before, the mind and body truly are one.

If we can notice that thoughts and emotions happen spontaneously and without our volition, we're better able to see we aren't those thoughts and feelings. Give your thoughts and feelings room to move about in the thought and feeling-free awareness you are.

The point is this: You are not the author of your thoughts and feelings; they happen all by themselves. You aren't making your anxiety happen, so you can't be blamed for it. Let the thoughts and feelings come as they come - they aren't what you are, so don't identify with them.

In Conclusion

In order to ensure we are on the road to curing our anxiety, we must be mindful and aware of our thoughts and behaviors. In other words, we want to make sure we're looking in the right direction - the direction where peace is. If we wish to enjoy a beautiful and peaceful sunset, we must be facing west, not east.

When we notice we aren't looking in a direction where peace isn't found, we simply turn around and face the direction where peace is found. Once we're facing the proper direction, we move forward courageously, knowing that we're consciously avoiding falling into the trap of The 7 Deadly Sins of Anxiety.

Whenever we are engaging in any of the above 7 Deadly Sins, we aren't looking in the direction where our peace is.

The truth is, anxiety is invasive, distressing and confusing. It's about as fun as showing up to your best friend's wedding on a bad hair day. But fortunately, it's also curable. To find out how to banish anxiety forever and make life good again, go to http://www.cure-anxiety-now.com.

Alex Keats, author of "Born To Be Happy", shows us how anxiety is the result of a trick being played in your mind. And once you know exactly how and why your mind does this, it loses all power and you quickly and easily gain your life back. To learn why you stay anxious - and to find out what mistakes to avoid, visit http://www.cure-anxiety-now.com.

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