"Did you make any mental health goals for the new year? According to a recent American Psychiatric Association poll, 38% of Americans made mental health resolutions this year. A majority of those surveyed reported anxiety about one or more areas of their lives. As a psychologist who specializes in anxiety, I often talk about how having zero anxiety is not a reasonable goal. However, there are distinct things that could lead to decreases in long-term anxiety."
"So many people who have anxiety issues think uncertainty is a bad thing. However, uncertainty is everywhere, and it's usually not a sign of something bad about to happen. People with anxiety tend to automatically assume that if something in the future is important or scary, it must mean that there will be a bad outcome. This is just not true. Because something is happening in the future, it carries at least some uncertainty. Uncertainty is neutral, not bad or good."
Many people make mental health resolutions and commonly experience anxiety across multiple life areas. Zero anxiety is not a realistic goal, but targeted changes can reduce long-term anxiety. Accept uncertainty as a neutral part of life and review past uncertain situations to counter automatic negative expectations. Challenge catastrophic thoughts by testing worst-case assumptions and evaluating evidence for alternatives. Set specific, achievable goals that address behaviors reinforcing anxiety and practice cognitive and behavioral strategies regularly. Small, consistent efforts can shift thinking patterns and decrease persistent anxiety over time.
Read at Psychology Today
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