Hi, I’m Ilia Jones, Licensed Professional Counselor in Suwanee, Georgia, and I want to tell you about a trick you can use to decrease worry and anxiety.
Many anxious thoughts start with the phrase “What if…?”, like “What if I lose my job?”, “What if something happens to my kids?”, or “What if I embarrass myself at this event?”. Instead of trying to push those thoughts away, this trick asks you to actually answer the “What if” question.
You imagine the situation you’re worried about and then walk yourself through what you would do if it really happened. You might realize that even though it would be uncomfortable or difficult, you do have options and ways to cope, which helps the fear feel less overwhelming.
By answering the “What if” instead of avoiding it, you train your brain to see that you are more capable than your anxiety suggests, and over time the scary “What if” thoughts can lose some of their power.
