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Anxiety can seem unhelpful at times, but its main purpose is to protect us.
Anxiety aims to give us:
a sense of control
understanding of expectations for the future
a sense of safety
Anxiety in our brains is much like a fire alarm. Fire alarms are intended to protect us from danger to alert you that the building is on fire, and you'll likely feel amped up when it goes off.
But just like false fire alarms, we can have false anxiety alarms. In our body and mind, we may feel and think there is a sense of urgency or danger. Our anxious thoughts, physical feelings, and resulting actions reinforce the belief that there is danger, even if in reality, there isn't.
Our core beliefs are determined by early life experiences.
Examples of core beliefs:
"I'm a good/bad person."
"The world is an unsafe place."
"It's not safe to share my emotions."
Experiences we have with family and friends, how others speak to us/about us, how others treat us, etc. all make up what are known as "core beliefs."
These beliefs act like a lens through which every life experience and situation is seen. Because of this, people in similar situations with different core beliefs might behave, think, and feel differently.
Even if a core belief is inaccurate, it still shapes how a person views themself, others, and the world around them.
There is no such thing as "good" or "bad" emotions...they all have value and purpose.
Our emotions are meant to be felt. Even the hard ones. It is okay to feel what you need to feel.
Even those considered "negative" guide us and help us cope with difficult situations.
Learning to sit and name our emotions can help us connect our feelings to our thoughts and behaviors, which can lead to greater self-awareness, compassion, and change.
Did you see Inside Out 2? Do these takeaways resonate with you? Join the conversation on Instagram here.
This post was written by Emily Sharpe, one of our Registered Mental Health Counselor Interns. Find out more about her and our other therapists here. Call (407) 204-1101 or email admin@thenurtureplace.org to get connected with Emily's services.
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