How to Break the Habits of Worry and Fear

Anxiety is overwhelming and can be incredibly defeating. Decreasing, and even preventing, anxious feelings from taking over is possible by creating new habits and incorporating them into your everyday life.

Below are 4 tips that you can use to break free from worry and fear. These tips helped me free myself from anxiety and I believe they’ll help you find relief as well.

Tip #1: Try to Resolve Stressful Issues as They Arise.

This is easier said than done. Anxiety can stem from prolonged stress. Many times, we try to sweep our worries and fears under the rug, or we simply get used to living with stress day after day. You may be able to get away with that for a little while, but eventually, the stress will catch up with you resulting in anxiety.

Always do your best to resolve stressful issues as they arise. Even if you can’t resolve every situation immediately, try to acknowledge the stress and make a plan to address it as soon as possible. This will prevent stress from building and eventually decrease your anxiety.

Tip #2: Ask for Help.

Don’t feel as though you have to do everything alone. Delegate and allow others to pitch in with cooking, cleaning, yard work, budgeting, running errands, etc. I used to put so many unrealistic expectations on myself when it came to all that I wanted to accomplish in a day. When I didn’t complete my never-ending to-do list, my anxiety heightened and I began to feel guilty for not doing more.

At the time, I thought asking for help would make me look weak or incompetent, which, in hindsight, I realize now is completely false. As I began delegating and making an attainable to-do list, my days became more enjoyable and less stressful. If this is an area that has caused your anxiety level to rise, you will definitely feel better by applying this new habit!

Tip #3: Stop Hiding your Anxiety.

When you hide your anxiety from the people in your life, all you end up doing is creating more anxiety for yourself. So many people, including myself at one time, are embarrassed by their anxiety and panic attacks. I’m here to tell you that anxiety is nothing to be ashamed of. It’s a very common problem that many people face, so don’t be afraid to speak up and get support.

I’m convinced that I suffered from anxiety much longer than I should have because of my fear of looking weird or foolish. By getting support you will quickly find that you are not alone and that others can relate to the feelings you’re experiencing. Furthermore, once you give yourself permission to speak up about your anxiety, you’ll probably find that you won’t be as anxious in settings that would have brought on your anxiety or a panic attack before.

The irony was that I ended up becoming more anxious by trying to think of how to appear “normal” in front of others. Once you stop hiding your anxiety and lift that weight from your shoulders by allowing yourself to open up, you’ll see that saying you have anxiety isn’t that hard. And, you’ll reduce the anxiety you feel around others in the process.

Tip #4: Don’t Let Anxiety Define You.

Refuse to believe that you will always be bound to worry and fear. Fear loves to tell you that you can’t overcome struggles or that you’re weak. This is far from the truth. I know how easy it is to fall into the trap of believing these lies. Anxiety makes you feel so out of control and can put major limitations on your life; however, the truth is that you can stand up to anxiety.

No matter how long you have been giving into the habit of worry and fear, by simply changing your attitude toward yourself and implementing positive changes into your life, you will see effective results over time. Something as easy as saying to yourself every morning, “I am healthy and strong” or “I am not always going to be an anxious person” will make a huge difference. It may take a little bit of time, but your feelings will eventually catch up with what you are telling yourself. Trusting God and declaring who I really was changed my life for the better, and it will do the same for you.

Breaking the habits of worry and fear, which leads to anxiety, does not happen overnight.

It takes time and patience; however, every effort you make is a step in the right direction that will ultimately lead you to victory over anxiety. I know that battling anxiety can feel like an endless cycle. Take it from someone who has walked this journey, at times uncertain and even trembling, that your efforts are not in vain. Every step you take is a step closer to freedom.

You can read more about Confronting Anxiety and our Freedom is Possible program here or contact us to learn more. I look forward to being a part of your journey towards a life free from anxiety.

“I sought The Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears”
Psalm 34:4