1️⃣ OBSERVE & ACKNOWLEDGE THE ANXIOUS THOUGHT (instead o1️⃣ OBSERVE & ACKNOWLEDGE THE ANXIOUS THOUGHT (instead of trying to push it away/avoid it)… THEN, DECIDE IF IT GETS TO STAY AND WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT.

Don't believe every thought that enters your mind. When your mind starts swirling and there are anxious thoughts that are darting your way, take a pause to consider and acknowledge the core key anxious thoughts. Sometimes, they are present because they are trying to be helpful and keep you safe and prepared. Thank them for this!

Taking a moment to consider and acknowledge the thought and decide if it deserves to stay can save you hours of emotional and mental energy that otherwise would be spent playing the negative/anxious thoughts over and over in your mind. If there is a genuine need to address a presenting concern, go ahead and move towards problem-solving (journal it out or process it verbally with someone). However, often anxious thoughts are habitual and are distorted from what is really going on in real life. In these moments, you get full permission to acknowledge the thought and release it because it is not beneficial. You can even address the thought internally as you would a much younger, frightened version of yourself, reminding him/her that everything is going to be okay and that there are no monsters under the bed, and that you are safe.