Advice for the Anxious

The Fairy Blogmother read some advice from a Harvard professor of psychology on ANXIETY, and wanted to paraphrase the main points of the article, add some of her own thoughts, and pass it along. Personal anxiety is increased by the uncertain times we are experiencing in our country: terrorists, high deficit, war, lack of jobs, etc. etc.


Some people handle stress with ease while other feel anxious. The key to calmness is RESILIENCE or ‘bounce-back ability.’


Be ‘bounce-able’ by developing these skills:

1. Make changes in your own behavior that might be causing negative treatment by others. You work to make relationships better, don’t wait for others to change first. Start out by smiling at the office “pain.”

2. Work on only those things YOU can control. Know which things you can’t control and don’t try to do the impossible. Frustration feeds anxiety.

3. See problems as puzzles or challenges, not as crisis. No hysterics.

4. Be empathetic: try to see a situation as another sees it, or wear their shoes for a while.

5. Really listen to others- try to understand what people are saying to you, and validate their feelings. Don’t try to plan your answer to them while they're talking, and NEVER say, “Don’t feel that way.” (They do.)

6. Admit and appreciate your strengths. Remind yourself of the ‘good things’ in your life. OFTEN- in writing, on tape, in song, on the bathroom mirror......

7. Accept mistakes not as personal failures but as something
that will help you learn new skills.

8. Help others for that can add meaning to your life and
help you reduce stressful feelings.