Advice against uncertainty and anxiety

If our lives currently have one thing in common, it is uncertainty.

Exists. It is a fact. And we can't fight it.

Learning to live with uncertainty is very difficult, since it generates uncomfortable feelings such as anxiety, fear, worry, paralyzes us and can even cause depression.

While it is true that we cannot eliminate uncertainty from our lives, we can accept it and better manage the sensations it generates in us.

• What situations can cause anxiety?

We can all find ourselves anxious in the course of our lives. Anxiety has indisputable advantages. It allows us to focus on our goal, make the best use of our resources and generally achieve our goals more easily. The problem is when anxiety becomes so present and pervasive that it no longer allows us to live our lives serenely. When it persists in our lives, that's when it becomes an established internal habit.

• What happens when you don't know what's going to happen?

For example, that a family member is developing symptoms compatible with a disease.

Faced with uncertainty, we feel the need for cognitive closure, that is, the need to obtain answers to our questions.

Continuing with the example, we will tirelessly ask the doctors who treat him about what is happening to our family member, about the diagnosis and the available treatments, we will search the internet, although professionals always recommend that we do not do so, and we will ask our acquaintances who have been in a similar situation.

In general, the more quality information we have about what worries us, the more control we have over the situation.

Imagine in the example that the medical staff tells us that everything is fine, that our family member is going to recover.

Quality information and in its fair measure gives us security and calms our anxiety.

• Beware of overinformation and the sources we consult, which can sometimes provide us with more doubts and uncertainty than answers.

If, on the other hand, medical professionals tell us that they do not know what is happening to our family member, the situation will be much less bearable. The need for answers will be activated in us.

This is where tolerating uncertainty and anxiety will make us react in a healthier and more adaptive way than if we let ourselves be carried away by the fear that uncertainty provokes.

What can we do to better tolerate uncertainty and anxiety?

Act healthy towards her.

Accept that you have worries and fears, it is totally normal, do not try to eliminate them. Try to share them with someone you trust who you know will support you.

Try to be present and avoid speculation about what could happen in the future. Control what you can with your attitude and your actions, today.

Focus on simple goals and actions that you can do.

Look for fair information and reliable sources.

Faced with difficult situations of uncertainty, do not neglect yourself.

Continue doing your usual activities, especially those that comfort you so as not to fall into boredom and depression.

Allow yourself more moments of rest to accommodate the emotions you are feeling.

Avoid operating automatically with your emotions and activate your rational side.

When you feel that the situation is overwhelming you… stop! be conscious!

Think before you get carried away and choose how you want to act.

All of these practices improve functioning in situations of uncertainty and help us make better decisions, which will lead to better long-term results.

Do not judge yourself if you have a hard time putting it into practice at first, it is something that you have to train.

The natural thing is that it is difficult for us to control anxiety and uncertainty, since it is not in our nature to live with the inability to foresee what will happen tomorrow.

Thanks for reading I hope I helped you.