A simple # Cure for Anxiety--# Journaling

A patient of anxiety is often advised to keep a journal but few take it up because it does not come naturally to many,and also because the benefits of keeping a journal are not enunciated in detail.But keeping a diary is very effective in curing anxiety and Hypochondria.It is a therapy which does not cost money and has no side effects too.I myself have seen the benefits accruing from journaling and would like to share them with you.

For best results,keep a separate diary for your mental health concerns and enter the details at the end of the day.These are the facts which should be entered daily:--

1. A list of the anxious thoughts experienced during the day.
2. The physical symptoms which troubled you.
3. The time when distress was at it's peak.
4. The possible triggers.
5. What did you do to get rid of the stressors?
6. What did you do to feel better?
7. Did you feel better or worse than yesterday?

After a week of starting, review the past entries and evaluate them on the following grounds:--

1. Are your fears decreasing or increasing?
2. What about the physical complaints?Were they the same all through the week or did they keep shifting?
3. Can you see a pattern in your worries?What usually triggers them?
4. Were you able to eliminate those triggers?
5. Which steps did you take to feel better?
6. Did your efforts show positive results?If not,then what else can you try?
7. How many of your fears were unfounded in reality?
8. Did any worst case scenario actualize?

When you write down your daily experiences you are better able to recognize the negative thoughts which produce painful emotions and lead to maladaptive behavior.You will realize that the worries which were driving you nuts a week ago are no longer so frightening.This will motivate you to exercise greater self control and assimilate effective coping skills.

A hypochondriac too can benefit immensely by reviewing a week's entries.He will realize that the back pain which was tormenting him on day one gave way to gastric troubles after two days and then it was a sore throat which petrified him with thoughts of a throat cancer.He can actually read in his own words that his complaints vanish without any medication and therefore,he cannot be suffering from a severe illness.

Keeping a diary introduces an element of regularity in

your schedule.It also helps you to gain a better perspective of your condition.It clarifies your thoughts.You understand what your main problem is and can then prioritize the corrective measures accordingly.You get to recognize the triggers and learn ways of controlling them.Putting down your thoughts,recording your agony,also reduces stress.

A recap of your journal will tell you as no one else can;whether you have done anything to improve your condition or not.If it tells you that you have not been able to make any progress then that is a red flag for you to consult a specialist.If however,you find yourself improving,then rejoice;it means that your stress management skills have improved and you are finally in control of your life.

For some practical tips for curing anxiety you may read 
http://jeeteraho.blogspot.in/2015/04/three-ways-of-defeating-general-anxiety.html

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