Embrace the fear...

When anxiety strikes and I am convinced there will be terrible consequences how do I stop this horrible process of fear and thinking, thinking, thinking to resolve the problem and make it all go away?! The answer I am learning is that I cannot. Just as you cannot stop any thoughts which have intensity. I am learning that I have to willingly let them in. Now I have a better understanding of where my anxiety comes from I am not quite as afraid of the anxiety itself. I am in a better position to rationalise. I cannot allow my thoughts on solving the apparent but false crisis to take over and dominate my mind constantly but nor can I block them out. I am learning to accept the anxiety and recognise that it is initially there to help me since it is programmed into our minds during evolution - this makes it easier. Slowing down my thinking and breathing helps. It is natural to think very quickly when you're anxious and end up lost in a world of fear and negativity. I hope that my new found knowledge on evolution will help. It certainly gives me confidence. Only time will tell...