Sing to the music from The Wizard of Oz
Anxiety is different than fear, and stress is different than worry. They are all connected. What is the connection or the core?
Anxiety tends to be a more enduring state, in my opinion, than fear. The two are similar but fear is temporary and drives us to action (fight, flight, or freeze) many times; Anxiety keeps us immobile as we contemplate what might happen. It doesn’t mean that we don’t take action, but it means we ruminate for a long time until we take desperate, frantic actions and then anxiety still remains calling the shots. Did I do the right thing? Ah, anxiety just turned into worry. Fear is at the core of both.
I like to hang onto anxiety because it keeps me safe though. It is my constant friend that scans the environment, untrusting of everything moving. Remember Anxiety in the movie Inside Out 2? Anxiety is future focused, desperately predicting what could happen to keep me safe, while worry scans the past for actions taken. Did I do the right thing?
Director of WI Stress Management Institute believes “90% of stress is not being in the present moment.” Well, anxiety and worry keep me out of the present moment, so I’m stressed. Stress is distressing (whether at work or home or in relationships). Stress is our body’s response to the demands in all these areas. Now, I feel anxious again.
Pastor Greg Laurie states that “Worry is a failure to trust God.” Trust (or lack of), it may be concluded, is at the core of anxiety, worry, onto stress and back again to anxiety. It’s like a vicious circle. I’m fearful and not leaning into trusting God. But the tracks (patterns of fear, stress, anxiety, and worry) in my mind are deep. Here’s a diagram and some negative behaviors that can negatively result from the cycle:
Taking a wholistic approach nurtures the dimensions of mind, body, and spirit. The situation is complex, so I need help in many dimensions as they all overlap. If experiences shaped me toward fear (present, past, or generational), then I need to have new (and repeated) experiences that build a new foundation of safety and trust. The spiritual, though not in the diagram, will be addressed as well as it has an enduring impact.
Body based techniques to decrease anxiety related to stress are yoga, deep breathing, many forms of exercise. Using medication to treat some biological symptoms may be helpful as well. Relative to the mind, self regulation skills of distraction (using the senses, focusing on the present moment mindfully) and reframing (catching negative then changing it to a positive mindset) can help our thought patterns. Prayer and mindfulness help greatly. Emotionally, connection with others can help. Medication can be used for anxiety and depression but addressing the body and mind will also help us emotionally. A combination of medication and psychotherapy are found to be very beneficial and can lead to healthier behaviors.
Spiritually, our connection to God can bring us peace. Philippians 4: 4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
What does this passage mean? Focus on the Lord in an intentional, constant communication pattern. Be thankful for Him and what He has done in your life (He died on the cross for you personally), sing praises (KLOVE radio station is great) of His goodness, pray constantly (communicate to Him as He is for you), have gratitude. Repeat. As my friends say, He goes before you, behind you, and with you. Picture Him in all the anxieties of tomorrow, worries of the past, and see Him with you presently. Read the Bible daily (8-8-8). That means 8 minutes in the morning, lunchtime, and evening. It could also mean, 8 minutes of prayer each mealtime mindfully. And, definitely get your 8 hours of sleep. (*Note: Levi Luskos speaks of the 8-8-8 principle).
What’s the core with this new pattern? Ultimate peace but it’s by building this new pattern. It takes consistent action. Lay down some new tracks or patterns in the mind, body, and soul. Prayers for all of us to abide in Him.
Warmly,
Dory
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