News: Day 8: The Big Picture

Sunday, October 18, 2020

Day 8: The Big Picture

Goodful's 8-Day Guide to Overcoming Anxiety

Day 8: The Big Picture

Over the course of this challenge, we addressed many different aspects of the anxiety response. Which ones resonated most with you?

Some of them may have felt quite difficult, but that's okay. There is no on/off switch to anxiety: it is a spectrum, and every little bit that you do to move toward a calmer body or mind is a step in the right direction that makes a difference. Every moment that you become just a little more in touch with your feelings, and feeling a little better able to manage your stress, is a step toward a calmer reality.

And even better, because of something called neuroplasticity, you are able to change your brain pathways, little by little, every time you engage in a new behavior or thought patterns. This makes patterns more likely to stick and be perpetuated, and means that every session of practice with the techniques you've learned can pay off in the future as the changes get more and more ingrained in your brain. You are growing new synapses!

So, it's crucial not to engage in any all-or-none thinking here. Maybe you couldn't read every email at the time, or you put off some of the exercises, or you grumbled that some felt uncomfortable or useless. That's okay. I'd highly recommend that you save these emails, and refer back to them every time you feel a little more motivated, and a little more ready, to give them a try.

And if you are wanting more, and ready to learn how to make even bigger changes in your emotional life, check out "Detox Your Thoughts: Quit Negative Self-Talk for Good, and Discover The Life You've Always Wanted."

Take good care.