Faith and Anxiety

Pressure from work, school or relationships, and not being able to properly address them, can cause you to develop some form of anxiety. Anxiety, which is a state of psychological and physical distress, can make your life complicated because it makes minute problems seem like crises. To manage this complication and spare yourself from the horrifying realities of anxiety, a strong faith coupled with modern techniques can be applied.

Faith

Many people who experience the malevolence of anxiety find relief in accepting that anxiety is a necessary part of life. That it happens because G‑d is teaching them a valuable lesson. They view it as an opportunity to strengthen their faith. It challenges them to adhere to the teachings of G‑d when it comes to dealing with life’s realities.

It is during our lowest points that we must seek to find answers beyond our conditionThe Torah prompts people who are in a great deal of anxiety to examine their lives in a manner that will bring forth enlightenment. It is during our lowest points that we must seek to find answers beyond our condition. We need to focus on knowing the reasons, the purpose and the lessons brought by tribulations. Sometimes, travail brings out the best in people. It defines our character and molds us to be the people we want to be. When we start understanding life’s complexities, we also start the journey towards our holistic development. G‑d reminds us to be still around chaos, so transform your worry into prayer. Request for discernment. Ask for peace and tranquility. Wait and contemplate. It will come.

The Art of Waiting

This is probably hard for someone with anxiety. It can be frustrating, but we are exposed to a lot of waiting in our lives. We wait for important calls, the line at the grocery store, the letter to arrive, that long-overdue promotion, the doctor’s diagnosis, etc. We go frantic unless the unknown is determined. When we are in a state of waiting, unwanted thoughts will find their way. We get bombarded with a lot of frightening and stressful “what ifs.” It’s during moments like this that a panic attack is very possible.

Learning to wait is a skill. We need to practice and expose ourselves to situations that will help lessen our anxiousness. In time, we’ll become better.

Learn from the story of Jacob. When he visited his uncle Laban, he saw Rachel and fell in love with her. But, even though his love was pure and true, he had to labor for seven years in order to marry Rachel. After working for seven years, he got to marry not Rachel, but her sister Leah. He worked again for seven years to finally marry Rachel. What a sacrifice! How patient! For some, the sacrifice is too much. Fourteen years seem an eternity. Others would just have given up . . . but not Jacob. He had the fortitude. His faith that G‑d would see him through all the hardships paid off at the end. He didn’t falter. Instead, he used the opportunity to strengthen his relationship with G‑d. He held on, and trusted that G‑d is with him in this journey. So he labored without question. He was still and remained calm, for he knew that G‑d would reward his faithfulness.

Learning to wait is a skillIf Jacob did it, so can you. The next time you grow anxious while waiting for your turn at the grocery counter, remember the story of Jacob. You’re in a far better position. Close your eyes. Relax. Take a deep breath. Grab your earphones and listen to music that soothes you best. Before you know it, your turn has come.

Modern Techniques

Aside from strengthening your faith in G‑d, your anxiety can be treated. Man—through whom G‑d gave the gift of wisdom—has developed techniques to understand and find such treatments. Modern science has recommended techniques that are known to be effective in the management of anxiety. Hypnotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness are some of them.

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy seeks to discover the causes of anxiety by arousing the subconscious. It seeks to let out any deep-seated fears. Unresolved trauma that is buried deep in the mind is often associated with anxiety later in life. By allowing it to resurface, the cause of this anxiety can be determined. Knowing the root cause helps in dealing with the problem. This is a safe method.

The relaxation it induces is more profound. It can even reduce the level of stress. What’s good with hypnotherapy is that it focuses on solutions rather than on problems. It also promotes self-confidence and positive attitude. With high self-esteem, coping and finding solutions to problems become easier.

Hypnotherapy is indicated for people who want to get treatment, whether conscious or unconscious. Commitment on the part of the patient is integral for this approach to work.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), on the other hand, involves learning new skills, applying these skills and participating in practical activities to reduce anxiety. It also involves talking about yourself and how you perceive the things around you. It’s about taking control of your thoughts and feelings. It’s about knowing that you can effect the change you want to achieve.

The approach of CBT is to take a problem and break it down into smaller parts. This way, it’ll be easier to see the connection among all the parts, and why they turn into a problem. A problem always stems from a situation. From the situation arise thoughts and emotions. These can develop stress and manifest into physical symptoms. The action that you take will determine if this uncomfortable feeling will continue and develop into an unwanted behavior. Unless you do something about it, there is a tendency that it’ll continue and become a vicious cycle. Whenever the situation happens again, the accompanying anxiousness will become worse each time. CBT gets in the picture by altering the cycle. It allows you to get into the situation, so you can work your way towards tackling the problem.

CBT is considered as effective as any antidepressants, minus the side effects. It’s also the most recommended form of psychological treatment for minor and major forms of depression.

Mindfulness

As for mindfulness, it involves training the mind by using emotional tools that help promote self-awareness and focus, so that stress can be prevented. It promotes emotional and physical balance.

Here are two ways to achieve a state of mindfulness.

a. Engage in any physical activity.

Quality of life is achieved by focusing on what’s good at all timesPhysical activities strengthen the body and maintain health and wellness. Exercising boosts the immune system. When our immune system is strong, we won’t get sick immediately. Our bodies won’t respond to pressure and stress easily.

Exercising is not just going to the gym or playing sports. You can still exercise with activities like walking or cleaning the house. Set aside 15–30 minutes of your day to just sweat out. You can really feel the difference.

b. Meditate and practice deep breathing.

Posture is important in meditation and breathing. You must be comfortable and be still. Close your eyes. Submit yourself to total relaxation. Observe normal breathing. Do not become conscious of it. Let breathing happen naturally. If unwanted thoughts start to barrage the mind, dispel them by creating an image of something that represents peace and calmness. It can be being at the top of a mountain, watching a serene ocean, or being in the middle of a beautiful garden.

Quality of life is achieved by focusing on what’s good at all times. If modern techniques work best for you, then that’s good. If it’s faith that lifts you up in your moments of struggles, that’s good as well. There is nothing wrong if you seek to treat anxiety through science or faith. But they can work together. They’re a powerful combination. It’s been proven time and again.