It's not worth carrying anxiety as our companion in our life’s journey

By K.R. Nayar

Many people are said to be suffering from extreme anxiety these days due to the current scenario all around the world. How do we ensure that this anxiety does not engulf us?  I believe anxiety can be conquered by using our intelligence. Let us tell ourselves that we are capable of conquering anxiety and that we will be able to do it.

I have heard from many people that they go through extreme bouts of anxiety these days, and a lot of this can be attributed to the prevailing scenario all around the world. The strange thing about this issue is that almost everyone who suffers from anxiety also knows that it does no good to our health. Yet most of us are unable to control it. So is there any escape from this?

Experts have suggested numerous techniques to manage and control anxiety. One of the most common solutions is by maintaining a daily exercise routine that will help strengthen us physically. and in turn, give us good sleep. Some suggest meditation for a short while every day while others recommend certain types of food that help lower anxiety.  It is also true that many people have tried these methods and some have been successful and there are many who still struggle. In such a scenario, would it better if we do not let anxiety grip us. Is that even possible?

We often say nothing is impossible. So the first step towards that is to realise that anxiety can only be controlled by us. We hear people advising those facing tough situations not to get tensed. Any amount of advice will not work unless the person in that state puts in the effort to calm his mind. Sometimes people bluntly retort to the person offering advice that he or she has no clue of the enormity of his anxiety.   

One thing that works for me whenever I face difficult situations is to write down the reason that makes me anxious. Once I get clarity on that, I look for possible solutions and write them down in order for me to plan my next steps. And if at any point I realise I have no solution, then all that I do is to write in bold that 'Anxiety is a killer and I don’t want to be hit by it'.

Getting rid of anxiety boils down to using our intelligence effectively. We need to convince ourselves that we are strong. No one wants to be known as a weak person, isn’t it? So we need to constantly remind ourselves that 'I am strong, I am brave, I can handle it, I will not allow it to conquer me, I am capable of dealing with it.'

Let us look at each one of them. 

While it is important to be strong mentally, we also need a healthy body.  A physically and mentally weak person can be a failure.

Being brave simply means being able to face life's challenges with the awareness that there can be ups and downs in life. 

And that can come when we keep telling ourselves that we can handle it. No one would really want a person who cannot handle situations, especially employers. When faced with tough situations, we must not allow the situation to conquer us or pull us down. It helps to remember that every day we rise from our bed to conquer and not to collapse.

We also need to feel confident that we have the capabilities to deal with situations. Only then can we get the mental strength to handle it and move forward. 

Very often one hears sports coaches advising their students, “give your best and forget the rest.” If players carry anxiety with them, even their skills will not surface. Students appearing for an exam are always advised to remain calm and not get bogged down by anxiety. Nervousness and anxiety could erase out whatever is there in our memory.

In short, anxiety is not the solution to anything. So let us not carry it along with us as a companion in our life’s journey.