Anxiety and Avoidance

Feeling anxious from time to time is part of being human. It’s how we respond to anxiety that determines its impact on our lives.
Avoiding fears is often the quickest way to get relief from anxiety, but it comes with a hefty cost: Repeatedly avoiding anxiety-provoking situations tricks us into thinking we’re not capable of handling them. This makes it more likely we’ll keep avoiding whatever scares us, which severely limits our growth and happiness.

Explore your experience of the cycle of anxiety. Some questions to consider:

• What are your anxiety triggers?
• How and when do you avoid what scares you?
• What is the cost of this avoidance?

Challenge yourself to choose a lower-level fear to confront rather than avoid. Then take small, but consistent steps toward that goal.  You can do this!