Managing Anxiety Tip 12

Challenging fearful thoughts.
We are programmed to think negatively to aid our survival and this can be heightened when in stressful situations. But these thoughts can easily overwhelm us and paralyse us. Try to get curious about these thoughts rather than pushing them away. Monsters tend to grow in size when we don’t turn to face them…
 
Use the Socratic questioning method to find out more about your negative thoughts and to challenge them:

• Is my thought based on facts or feelings?
• How would my best friend view this situation?
• How likely is it that what I fear will come true?
• What’s most likely to happen?
• If my fear comes true, will it matter in a week/month/year?

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