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Reframing Thoughts: Change a Thought, Change Anxiety

By reframing your thoughts, you can change the power anxiety holds over you. Learn how to regain power by reframing your thoughts, or thinking in new ways.

"Anxiety" is a very broad term, encompassing many different experiences. In addition to situational anxiety, there are a variety of anxiety disorders that disrupt people's lives. All are different, but all share a crucial aspect: they affect our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and each anxiety disorder has the power to knock us completely off course.

Yes, anxiety, no matter the type, can be quite disruptive. Thankfully, you are stronger and more powerful than your anxiety. Really. It's true. Anxiety might knock you down, but you can get back up and step around it.

There are numerous ways to do this. One effective method is to take charge of your thoughts. When anxiety tells you to think in a certain way, pause for a moment and All types of anxiety have in common the ability to limit our lives. We can regain power by thinking of anxiety-provoking events in new ways. Learn how.question it.

Do you like the thought, or do you want to change it? How can you look at something differently?

This is known as reframing. Pay attention to your anxiety. Consider why you're anxious. What thoughts and beliefs can help you overcome the anxiety in the moment?

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You can also connect with Tanya J. Peterson on her website, Google+, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Pinterest.

APA Reference
Peterson, T. (2013, December 9). Reframing Thoughts: Change a Thought, Change Anxiety, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2024, December 8 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/anxiety-schmanxiety/2013/12/change-a-thought-change-anxiety



Author: Tanya J. Peterson, MS, NCC, DAIS

Tanya J. Peterson is the author of numerous anxiety self-help books, including The Morning Magic 5-Minute Journal, The Mindful Path Through Anxiety, 101 Ways to Help Stop Anxiety, The 5-Minute Anxiety Relief Journal, The Mindfulness Journal for Anxiety, The Mindfulness Workbook for Anxiety, and Break Free: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in 3 Steps. She has also written five critically acclaimed, award-winning novels about life with mental health challenges. She delivers workshops for all ages and provides online and in-person mental health education for youth. She has shared information about creating a quality life on podcasts, summits, print and online interviews and articles, and at speaking events. Tanya is a Diplomate of the American Institution of Stress helping to educate others about stress and provide useful tools for handling it well in order to live a healthy and vibrant life. Find her on her website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

denise
March, 27 2014 at 11:30 am

your example was perfect, i never used to be a afraid to go do things with my child, but he is now grown and i seem to be afraid to leave the house and do anything! re-framing may work! i'll give it a try! thank you!

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

April, 1 2014 at 1:32 pm

Hi Denise,
Thanks for your comment. I'm glad that this example was helpful. Reframing has been proven to be helpul (it does help me), and even though it can be challenging, it really can work. You have the foundation for success already -- you are actively looking for things that will decrease your anxiety, and you're willing to try things. Good luck to you! Come back and let us know how things are going.

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