Originally published on medium.com
Some people love change, and some people hate it, and times of transition can spark feelings of anxiety. For those who experience distress, managing these emotions, and knowing where to turn to for help is vital for mental stability.
Adam Ferrari founded his company, Ferrari Energy, based on his experience and passion for the energy and business sectors. The company and its achievements helped him become recognized both as a capable engineer and an accomplished businessman. However, sacrificing to build a successful business can often create unintentional anxiety during times of change that might affect your business’ hard work.
For those who struggle with restlessness or discomfort during times of transition, Adam Ferrari outlines some self-help strategies and alternative reinforcements that can help improve emotional balance during changing times.
Face the Facts
When the feeling of anxiety arises, rather than trying to stuff it down and pretend it is not there, acknowledge the fact that the emotion exists. Recognizing that you have a fear is the first step to dealing with it.
Breathe
Though a simple action, breathing is a powerful anti-anxiety tool. By channeling your thoughts to focus on your breath, you are giving access to a method that forces you to be present. Often, past or future worries can lead to anxiety during uncertain times. Try this breathing exercise:
- Sit in an upright position, and close your eyes.
- Release any air in your lungs by exhaling fully through your mouth.
- Inhale slowly through your nose for four to five seconds while imaging the air flowing through your nose and filling your lungs.
- Hold your breath in for seven seconds.
- Exhale slowly through your mouth again until there is no air left in your lungs.
Take on the Negative Thoughts
Unfortunately for humans, negative thoughts often come naturally, fluently, and easily compared to positive ones. When change occurs in life, we usually picture the alteration in our minds. If change rubs you the wrong way, you will most likely revert to a negative image. For example, you just started a new company, but all you can think about is the numerous unfamiliar obstacles ahead.
Veer away from those images and strive to replace them with proactive ones. Next time you face a scary change, consider trying this:
- Ask yourself the question: “What image comes to mind when I think about this life change?”
- Write down or try to draw the image that reflects your thoughts and feelings surrounding the change.
- Take a moment to reflect on what you are mentally doing. You are allowing yourself to grow past anxiety triggers by moving the image in your mind from your subconscious state to your conscious state. By putting your conceptual picture on paper, you can analyze and adjust the way you perceive change.
- If the image is negative, then identify the pessimistic reasoning.
- Replace the pessimism with optimism to help amplify excitement over fear.
Find the Right Support
Not all people will find their answers to dealing with change through self-help. Finding the right therapist or professional counselor to help walk you through your mental battles can be crucial for dealing with anxiety from change.
About Adam Ferrari
Chemical engineer Adam Ferrari graduated magna cum laude with a degree in chemical engineering. With an educational background as a chemical engineer, Adam was encouraged to learn more about minerals and the inner workings of petroleum engineering. Bootstrapping his own business, Ferrari Energy, from the ground up, he took on his new venture to educate mineral landowners about their acreage. His company makes meaningful donations to organizations, including St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Freedom Service Dogs, Denver Rescue Mission, Coats for Colorado, and Next Steps of Chicago.