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How can I learn to let go of certain things that make me anxious?

20 Answers
Last Updated: 06/19/2018 at 9:54am
How can I learn to let go of certain things that make me anxious?
1 Tip to Feel Better
Greece
Moderated by

Maria Wasielewski, Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance, University of Arizona

Licensed Professional Counselor

I am inspired when working with clients, who are facing challenging life experiences, to be able to help them to develop the needed skills to live their best possible life!

Top Rated Answers
HealingLotus
April 21st, 2015 11:43pm
You can learn to let go by first accepting how you feel and the anxiety, accept that is, is. Don't judge it, label it, just feel it, experience it. It's when we are resistant that we can't let go, don't dam up the emotions and anxiety like water, release it, be still.
milknsugar
February 16th, 2016 3:29pm
Remember that half the time anxiety builds up in our mind and body because we're the one feeding these negative thoughts to our head that the worst case scenario is gonna happen, when it won't. We panic because we assume that the only outcome to every triggering event is negative. Letting go can take a really long time, and sometimes, when you think you're finally not afraid, it comes back like a bullet train all of a sudden when you see or hear a trigger. Learn to tell yourself each time that the outcome isn't set in stone yet, and it won't turn out as bad as you think it will. And if you can't convince yourself, then remember the past times when you've felt anxious and waited for everything to crumble apart... and it didn't. You're gonna be okay. It's gonna be okay.
SuperSandi
June 19th, 2018 9:54am
easier said than done... but the more i faced whatever it was that caused it, the easier it got for me. the more I understood myself and why I got anxious, the easier it was or me to calm myself. but my anxiety stemmed from fearing something that was unknown. the more i knew, the more power i had to overcome it.
spirityou
March 5th, 2015 9:08pm
If you can name the anxiety trigger (e.g. giving a speech), attach a humorous image rather than an anxious one. Humor will release different neurotransmitters to counteract the anxiety provoking ones. Make it as humorous as needed; it's in your imagination!
Anonymous
June 5th, 2018 11:25pm
I find that it helps to find things that calm you: listening to music, drawing, reading a book, going for a walk, whatever works for you. It also helps to detach yourself from what your anxious about, look at it from a different vantage point and you may find it’s not as scary as it seems. Or just try to let it go. It took me a while to do that when it came to my schoolwork, but let go of it mostly. I don’t blame you though if it’s hard because it’s really hard. Of course it takes work and it’s diffcult but I believe in you!
Anonymous
May 28th, 2018 7:59pm
Just do things step by step, the thing that scares you the least you start by that then you go to bigger fear to bigger fear.
fantasticJoy75
December 4th, 2017 5:33pm
By talking and sharing what makes you anxious. Encourage people to slowly talk about those issues, as well as encourage them to work the steps!
Alyeska81
July 18th, 2017 11:04am
From my experience, I'd say the first step of letting go is acknowledging and accepting. It's a long and painful process, but just remember to believe in yourself and keep working hard at it.
Anonymous
October 11th, 2016 7:56pm
Become self-aware and ask yourself - is holding on going to help me, or is it doing more harm than good? Communicate with yourself and understand why you are struggling to let go. Show yourself that you can live comfortably without this stress in your life.
Chantelly121
October 10th, 2016 6:54pm
Try to do it in small steps. Like anything it will take time. Acknowledge that it will take effort and a change in mindset. Try to expose yourself to the things that make you anxious. This will prove to you that there is nothing to be anxious about. Give yourself that sold evidence and record it every time you prove yourself wrong
Anonymous
June 20th, 2016 1:29pm
Concentrate on things that make you happy when you feel anxious thoughts trying to reign your mind.
Anonymous
March 22nd, 2016 3:23pm
To let myself feel calm, use my senses to calm myself down that's away to feel awesome when feeling anxious.
shishir77
December 21st, 2015 12:12pm
By distracting myself. I would figure out what are the things i really like doing and give a try doing them.
Alcazand
December 7th, 2015 4:59pm
Being anxious is part what makes us human, your feeling. Well done! Trick yourself with other emotion's, you know you have felt in a resent good memory
olimaar
October 27th, 2015 1:59pm
Try to make a list of different things that make you anxious, and come up with every possible outcome from the situation. Think of those outcomes as an opportunity. All of those outcomes can lead you to a new step in life.
AdviceAlly
June 7th, 2015 7:35am
i have the Pacifica app on my cell phone and that helps a lot with my anxiety. id give it a shot :)
GratefulSpring
May 8th, 2015 12:41am
I have found that meditation can truly help a person relieve stress. It takes practice, but eventually you can let all negative thoughts out of your mind, and possibly clear your mind completely. After a while, I have found myself able to even do short meditation sessions throughout my day, anytime and anywhere. Overall, I would recommend it to everyone.
Amanda9715
April 29th, 2015 3:21am
Take deep breaths, speak a mantra to yourself that reminds you that whatever happened isn't so big.
alekplease
April 8th, 2015 1:58pm
I haven't found an efficient method for letting go of things that make me anxious. Sometimes, apathy is the best option: turn the music louder, and you can't hear what they're saying about you. I also know that friends are not reliable anchors, but there's a girl I really like, and when I'm talking to her, it's like nothing in my world can go wrong. If she's with me, she calms me down automatically. I am hoping to learn more coping methods from 7 cups.
juliaxo
March 9th, 2015 8:36pm
Try to tackle it one bit at a time. If having friends over makes you nervous, start by becoming close to one person and having them over. Don't dive into things you aren't comfortable, but stretch your boundaries a little bit at a tiem