CPR for the Anxious Soul

/

Have you ever felt that sense of dread, the overwhelming feeling of doom? Your world is caving in and you do not know how you will ever dig yourself out. There are deadlines to meet, clothes to wash, homework to review, doctor's appointments to get to. Where is the "Calgon" when you need it? It’s in those moments fear and anxiety can over take and make even the most doable task seem too overwhelming. As the flight attendant instructs,  "always remember to place your oxygen mask on first." But how often is that really done? 

When feeling anxious remember to do your own CPR

C - CHALLENGE YOUR ANXIOUS THOUGHT

  • Ask yourself if you are allowing yourself to fall into catastrophic thinking.

  • Ask yourself what is the basis of your thoughts being true.

  • Ask yourself if this is an actual thought or is it a fact.

  • Ask yourself if you are 100% sure what you think will happen.

  • Ask yourself what would friends say about your thoughts.

  • Ask yourself if you are confusing a possibility with certainty.

  • Call your "Healing" people. Those who are there for you, who can empathize and not judge.

P- PRAY

  • Pray and ask God to help you through your anxious moments.

  • Pray for another family member or someone else who is in your life.

R- RECITE/REDIRECT/REFOCUS/RELAX

  • Recite Scripture, poems, quotes.

  • Redirect your thoughts.

  • Refocus your mind.

  • Relax and breathe.

Do not fear I will be with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Is.41:10). 

dont-panic-1067044__340.jpg