Eliza Hartley
As we age, anxiety and worry can become unwanted companions. But here’s the thing – they don’t have to be.
Part of conquering these feelings is recognizing that certain behaviors may be fueling them. We all have habits that aren’t doing us any favors, especially when it comes to our mental health.
But identifying them?
That’s the first step towards saying goodbye and, trust me, it’s empowering.
So, if you’re ready to tackle your anxiety and worry as you get older, start by bidding farewell to these seven behaviors.
The journey may not be easy, but it’s definitely worthwhile – and I’m here to guide you through it.
1) Overthinking
Overthinking is a common pitfall that many of us fall into, especially as we get older.
The more time we spend mulling over our worries and fears, the larger they seem to become. It’s like a snowball rolling down a hill; gathering momentum and growing with every passing second.
Overthinking can lead to a constant state of anxiety, making it harder for us to make decisions, interact with others, and enjoy life.
A vital step towards conquering anxiety and worry is saying goodbye to this habit. Instead of dwelling on problems, shift your focus.
Engage in activities that bring you joy and peace. It could be anything from reading a book, taking a walk, or spending time with loved ones.
Remember, you can’t control everything in life. But you can certainly control where your attention goes. So why not direct it towards something positive?
Letting go of overthinking doesn’t mean ignoring your problems. Instead, it’s about addressing them in a healthy way without letting them consume you.
2) Avoidance
I’ll be the first to admit – avoidance was my go-to strategy for a long time. If I was worried about something, I’d simply avoid it. Out of sight, out of mind, right?
But here’s what I learned: avoidance only feeds anxiety. Take public speaking, for instance. I used to dread it.
The mere thought of standing before a crowd would send my heart racing. So, I did what seemed easiest – I avoided situations where I had to speak in public.
However, this only increased my fear. The more I avoided it, the scarier it became in my mind.
Then one day, I decided to face my fear. I took up a public speaking course and pushed myself to participate in events where I had to speak in front of people.
It was terrifying at first, but gradually, it got easier. By facing my fear instead of avoiding it, I was able to reduce my anxiety significantly.
So here’s what I want you to understand: avoidance is not a solution. It’s a temporary fix that often exacerbates the problem in the long run.
If you’re serious about conquering your anxiety and worry as you get older, say goodbye to avoidance.
Face your fears head-on and watch them diminish.
3) Lack of mindfulness
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. This constant mental chatter can intensify feelings of anxiety and worry.
That’s where mindfulness comes in.
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment, aware of our thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgement.
In my book, “The Art of Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Living in the Moment”, I delve into why mindfulness is such a powerful tool for combating anxiety and worry. I explain how mindfulness helps us observe our thoughts and feelings without getting swept away by them.
It allows us to recognize when we’re drifting into negative thought patterns and gently guide ourselves back to the present moment.
By incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine, you can start to distance yourself from anxiety-inducing thoughts. You learn to respond, not react, to your emotions.
So if you’re looking for practical tips and exercises to cultivate mindfulness, be sure to check out my book. It’s designed to be an easy-to-understand guide that can help anyone start their journey towards a more mindful existence.
4) Dwelling on the past
There was a time when I used to spend countless hours dwelling on past mistakes and missed opportunities. It was as if my mind was stuck in a loop, replaying the same scenarios over and over again.
This constant dwelling did nothing but fuel my anxiety and worry. It kept me tethered to events and experiences that were long gone, preventing me from fully living in the present.
Realizing this was a game changer. Instead of beating myself up over past events, I began to see them as learning experiences. Each mistake, each regret became a stepping stone, a lesson to learn and grow from.
Saying goodbye to dwelling on the past doesn’t mean forgetting or ignoring it. It means accepting it, learning from it, and then letting it go.
It’s about choosing to live in the present and look towards the future, rather than being stuck in what was.
And trust me, once you make this choice, you’ll feel a huge weight lift off your shoulders.
5) Seeking constant comfort
Comfort feels good. It’s safe, familiar, and easy. But here’s a counter-intuitive truth: constant comfort can actually fuel anxiety and worry.
When we’re always in our comfort zone, we avoid challenges and new experiences. This might feel good in the short term, but it limits our growth and can lead to a sense of stagnation.
More importantly, it can make the unfamiliar seem scary and anxiety-inducing. If we’re not used to stepping out of our comfort zone, even small changes can feel overwhelming.
So, as strange as it may sound, a key step towards conquering anxiety and worry is to embrace discomfort. Seek out new experiences. Push your boundaries. Challenge yourself.
By doing this, you start to realise that you’re capable of handling more than you think. You build resilience and confidence, which can help reduce feelings of anxiety and worry.
Saying goodbye to constant comfort doesn’t mean you need to live in a state of constant struggle.
It’s about finding a balance and recognising that stepping out of your comfort zone from time to time is a crucial part of personal growth.
6) Neglecting self-care
Self-care is often viewed as a luxury rather than a necessity. But the truth is, neglecting self-care can contribute to feelings of anxiety and worry.
When we’re always on the go, always prioritizing others or our work over our own well-being, it takes a toll on our mental health. We become more susceptible to stress, and our ability to cope with anxiety and worry weakens.
That’s why saying goodbye to neglecting self-care is so crucial if you want to conquer your anxiety and worry as you get older.
Self-care isn’t just about pampering yourself (though that can certainly be part of it!). It’s about taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental health with measures such as:
- Setting boundaries
- Saying no when you need to
- Eating healthy
- Exercising regularly
- Getting enough sleep
- Taking time to relax and recharge
Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish – it’s necessary. And it’s one of the most powerful ways to combat anxiety and worry.
7) Fear of change
Change is inevitable.
As we get older, we face numerous changes in our lives – our bodies change, our responsibilities change, our roles change.
For many, change can be scary. It’s the fear of the unknown, the fear of losing control. This fear can lead to heightened anxiety and worry.
But here’s the most important thing you should know: Change is not something to fear. It’s something to embrace.
Why? Because it brings growth. It opens up new opportunities, new experiences, new possibilities. It allows us to learn, adapt, and evolve.
Learning to embrace change rather than fear it is not easy. But it’s absolutely necessary if you want to conquer your anxiety and worry as you get older.
So say goodbye to the fear of change. Welcome it, embrace it, and see it for what it truly is – a chance for growth and transformation.
Final thoughts
Overcoming anxiety and worry as we age is not just about saying goodbye to certain behaviors.
It’s about welcoming new ones, embracing change, and understanding that it’s a journey, not a destination.
It’s about recognizing that our mental health, just like our physical health, requires care and attention.
And sometimes, that means making tough decisions, like stepping out of our comfort zone or prioritizing self-care over other demands.
In my book, “The Art of Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Living in the Moment”, I delve deeper into how mindfulness can help us navigate this journey with grace and resilience.
As you reflect on these seven behaviors, take a moment to acknowledge where you are right now.
Celebrate your progress, no matter how small it may seem.
Remember that each step you take towards conquering your anxiety and worry is a victory in itself.
