Anxiety can feel like a trap with no way out. But why do some people manage to break free, while others remain stuck? Recovery from anxiety requires a specific mindset, a commitment to change, and a willingness to take action—even if it means moving outside of your comfort zone. Here, we’ll look at the key differences between those who overcome anxiety and those who continue to struggle, along with steps you can take to move forward.
1. Let Go of Self-Pity, Victimhood, and Overwhelm
One of the first steps toward recovering from anxiety is setting aside self-pity and victimhood. While it’s normal to feel overwhelmed by anxiety—especially if you have experienced trauma or hardship—continuing to focus on how life has treated you unfairly often keeps you from moving forward. It’s essential to acknowledge any painful experiences while also recognizing that you have the power to change your future.
As Lady Gaga famously said, “Sometimes you stop crying and get up and kick some ass.” This powerful message is a reminder to leave self-pity behind and adopt an attitude of resilience. In my own life, I keep this quote hanging in both my office and my bathroom, so I’m reminded every day to avoid self-pity and focus on what I can do to move forward. People who recover from anxiety recognize that, regardless of the past, they’re ready to do whatever it takes to regain control of their mental health.
2. Channel Your Frustration: Get Angry at Anxiety
Sometimes, getting a little bit angry can be exactly what you need to fuel change. Allow yourself to feel frustrated—not at yourself, but at the grip anxiety has on your life. Use that emotion to muster up the grit to say, “I refuse to live like this anymore. I’m going to do whatever it takes, no matter how hard it is.”
People who recover from anxiety are those who stand back up, even after falling countless times. They cultivate an attitude of determination, one that says, “I will keep going forward, no matter what.” This inner fire is what helps them break through the patterns and fears that hold them back.
3. Examine the Cause of Your Anxiety—and Be Willing to Act on It
A significant part of recovery involves looking at the root causes of your anxiety. Are past traumas still influencing your thoughts? Are present-day circumstances causing stress that you can change? Are fears about the future contributing to your anxiety?
People who make progress in their recovery take the time to reflect on these questions and get to the core of what’s fueling their anxiety. Instead of being controlled by subconscious beliefs that formed in response to past experiences, they confront them head-on.
Locating and reprocessing subconscious beliefs can often requires the assistance of a good practitioner. At Mind Body Hypnosis, I utilize Transformational Hypnosis to locate the subconscious beliefs and patterns that are keeping you stuck in anxiety. After we locate they root causes, they can be successfully reprocessed and your mind can be reprogrammed with a new and empowering beliefs that bring your freedom and peace.
4. Take Control of the Present by Changing How You Think
Sometimes, anxiety can stem from situations in the present that you can’t easily change—like a stressful job or financial struggles. If external changes aren’t possible,you can still learn to change your internal reactions. By reframing situations and training yourself to look at them from an empowered perspective, you can make peace with circumstances that might otherwise fuel anxiety.
One key to this shift is mindfulness: learning to catch negative thoughts and replace them with ones that support your well-being. It might be as simple as rephrasing “I’m stuck in this job forever” to “I have choices, and this situation is temporary.” By reclaiming control over your thinking, you break the cycle of anxiety and start to feel more empowered.
5. Challenge Future Fears by Visualizing Positive Outcomes
A common cause of anxiety is our tendency to worry about what might happen in the future. Many people with anxiety imagine worst-case scenarios, which reinforces the feeling that disaster is just around the corner. But it’s just as easy to visualize positive outcomes as it is to worry about negative ones.
If you find yourself fantasizing about disaster, pause and redirect your imagination to a positive scenario. Envision yourself succeeding in your goals, finding peace, or navigating life with confidence. You truly can train your mind toward hope by using visualization to create optimism instead of dread.
6. Take Action: Stop Procrastinating on Your Recovery
One of the biggest obstacles to recovery is procrastination. Some people put off getting help, investing time, or spending money on recovery because it feels overwhelming. But those who overcome anxiety recognize that they can’t afford to delay the process of healing. Everyday you continue to struggle is time and energy lost that you can never get back. Be willing to start now and commit to the journey of recovery, even if it means beginning with a small step.
If you’re unsure where to start, ask yourself: “What is one thing I can do today to move toward recovery?” The key is to start now, even if the steps are small.
7. Shift Your Thinking Patterns for Long-Term Peace of Mind
At the heart of anxiety recovery is a willingness to change your thinking. Anxiety often thrives on unhelpful thought patterns, like catastrophizing, negative self-talk, and all-or-nothing thinking. Those who recover from anxiety understand that changing these patterns is essential for finding peace of mind.
This process can take time on a conscious level, but working with the subconscious through hypnosis can create change in as little as 21 days. The goal is to replace anxiety-driven thoughts with ones that empower you. When you work with your subconscious mind, you shift from turmoil to empowerment—paving the way for a more peaceful, resilient mind.
Final Thoughts: Moving from Anxiety to Empowerment
Recovering from anxiety is a journey, and the path does not need to be difficult. But by setting aside self-pity, getting determined, understanding the root causes, reframing the present, challenging future fears, taking action, and changing your thinking, you’re taking the steps needed to reclaim your life from anxiety.
Hypnosis helps you achieve all these goals because we are able to access the subconscious mind directly to create new neuroconnections to new thought patterns and behaviors. So start today by believing in your ability to change, and committing to a future that’s not ruled by anxiety but by empowerment and peace.
