See things differently to reduce anxiety
bythemethod | August 4, 2008The way we see things can have a big impact on the amount of anxiety and disturbance we feel in any situation. The amount of anxiety we feel has a dramatic effect on our performance. However you can learn to take control of a situation and see things very differently. This technique is commonly known as reframing.
What picture of the stressful event do you have in your mind?
Often when we are anticipating an event we build up a very scary image of the event in our mind.
Let’s say you have an important interview - your future depends on it and the thought of it is making you very nervous.
In your mind they seem large, full of colour and they all have a very commanding and menacing presence.
Use the same brain that created the anxiety filled image to create a new one
Instead of letting this image of them dominate your mind use your mind to create a different image of them.
Use your imagination to change the way you perceive them. Instead of seeing everything in colour see them all in black and white.
Now shrink them in size. Imagine you can take hold of the corner of your image and push in the corner so its much smaller. Just like you might do on a computer. Now you see yourself as much bigger than they are in your mental picture.
Turn down their volume so they sound quite quiet and timid.
You will need to keep practicing this technique until you have control of the image in your mind. You will find that your anxiety will reduce and you will feel much more confident going in to the interview.
Of course this technique will work with any stressful situation you might face.
