When anxiety kicks in, it’s easy to let problems feel bigger than
they are. Over the years, I’ve found a few strategies that help
me-and others-gain perspective and reduce the overwhelm.
1. Anchor to Joy: Recall a Happy Photo
When stress rises, I pull up a photo of loved ones doing
something fun or meaningful. It could be a family holiday, a
birthday celebration, or a quiet moment with friends. Focusing
on the joy in that photo shifts my mindset and reminds me of
what’s truly important. For example, I have a photo of my family
at the beach, laughing and building sandcastles. Whenever I’m
feeling overwhelmed, I look at that photo and instantly feel
calmer. Try it: what’s a photo that brings you instant calm?
2. Shrink the Problem
Anxiety makes problems feel 10x bigger than they are. I ask
myself: “Is this problem as huge as it feels right now?” More
often than not, breaking it down into smaller, actionable steps
makes it manageable. For instance, if I’m feeling overwhelmed
by a big project, I break it down into smaller tasks like “make a
plan”, “research”, and “take action”. Write it out: how tiny does
the problem look when you break it into 3 easy tasks?
3. Share the Load: Engage Your Network
Bottling up anxiety only makes it grow. I share challenges with
trusted colleagues, friends, or mentors-and often, the problem
shrinks when someone else says, “This is smaller than you
think.” Or they offer a fresh perspective. For example, I once
shared a work challenge with a mentor, and they pointed out a
solution I hadn’t considered. Who’s in your corner? Reach out.
The goal isn’t to eliminate stress but to manage it. By anchoring
to joy, shrinking problems, and leaning on others, we can face
challenges with more calm and clarity.