Sometimes in life you just have to throw a bunch of things against the wall and see what sticks. I like to think of life not only as an adventure but also as an experiment at times. This is especially true when it comes to things that are scary or uncomfortable.
Be curious
One way I like to get through difficult or comfortable situations is to think of it as a challenge or a game. Because of my curious nature I have found this tactic to be one of the best ways to get me to expand my comfort zone and try new things. This also allows me to turn whatever situation I’m in into a game which in effect, changes my mindset and distracts me from whatever is raising my anxiety.
Do one thing everyday that scares you
Life is short so make it a game and really challenge yourself. Do something everyday that scares the hell out of you and get outside your comfort zone. Try an experiment and see what happens, I’ll give you a good example:
Remember that road trip that I talked about in my last post? Well one of the common side effects of anxiety is stomach discomfort which can make a car ride anything but enjoyable. Knowing this I decided to try a few things to see what works and what doesn’t. Here’s what I experimented with:
- I performed a 24 hour fast simply because I am not 100% sure which foods may our may not lead to an upset stomach.
- I mixed peppermint oil in with my water which has worked well for me in the past in other situations like helping relieve motion sickness or after meals.
- Drinking peppermint tea during the trip instead of coffee.
- Change my mindset by making the situation a challenge.
I am a big believer in the benefits of peppermint when it comes to relieving anxiety and calming the stomach but I am in no way a doctor nor am I claiming to be. By making these changes anxiety was pretty much non existent and I was able to enjoy the trip. These tricks may have been all mental but like I’ve said before, the mind is a powerful thing.
Test and retest
The goal is to try new things and see what works, if something isn’t working then it needs changed. This is how we grow stronger not only mentally but physically as well. When you find something that works for you, expand upon the idea and try it in new and scary situations.
Always remember that every time you do something new and uncomfortable your comfort zone expands. So go out and try new things, go on a new adventure no matter how small. Change up your routine a little bit. Experiment with a new idea and just have fun with it.
The Anticz Project 