My Therapist’s 3-Second Cure for Anxiety
If there is one thing I have learned in life, it’s that pervasive problems rarely have quick fixes, but…
I firmly believe my former therapist bestowed upon me the most valuable gift I’ve ever received. The immaterial present was delivered during a profound phone call as I sat alone in my room, my mind racing. I grappled with the frustration that a relationship I thought would be lifelong had perished in the blink of an eye.
Thinking to myself… It’s because of your fucking insecurities you couldn’t resolve, idiot!
The insecurities he taught me stemmed from anxiety.
He offered me the most transformative life hack I’ve ever used to help ensure this didn’t happen again. I genuinely believe it can revolutionize your life if you utilize it. It’s simple to implement, and based on personal experience, I can confidently say it works wonders.
I share it with friends and family who are looking for relief or ostensibly struggling with their mental health, but before diving into the method, let’s take a moment to understand the science behind it. This will make the strategy harder for you to ignore during your moments of weakness when your anxiety injects you with self-doubt.
His book, What If? The Art of Crushing Anxiety taught me to view anxiety as a pre-programmed biological reflex rather than a personal failing or a symptom of a mental disorder. He explained that anxiety is a remnant of our ancient fight-or-flight mechanism—an instinctual defense system designed to protect us from real danger. When our brains perceive a threat, our bodies release adrenaline, increasing heart rate and muscle tension to prepare us for fight or escape. This response also includes vasoconstriction, which narrows blood vessels to minimize bleeding from injuries and reduce the risk of death.
Today, despite primarily facing psychological stressors rather than physical threats, we still react with the same hardwired systems, mistaking these stressors for bodily harm. This leads to unnecessary adrenaline rushes, draining our energy and potentially causing exhaustion and depression.
When you feel an adrenaline rush, ask yourself: Is this a matter of life or death? If you have time to pause and consider the question, the answer is no—because you wouldn’t have that time in a real-life-or-death situation.
Next, enter problem-solving mode. Instead of letting your mind spiral with terrifying hypotheticals, pinpoint the source of your anxiety and devise a plan to address it. This mental shift moves you from panic to action. If implementing the plan feels overwhelming, start small. Taking one step toward a solution, even a small one, can trigger a dopamine release, which helps boost motivation and make the next challenge easier.
The secret lies in building momentum; those small wins pave the way for greater ones. The book's title, *What If?*, cleverly encapsulates how anxiety often begins—by conjuring the worst possible outcome. But instead of letting those thoughts spiral out of control, pause and ask yourself: Am I in immediate danger? If not, redirect your focus to actionable steps. With practice, this simple yet profound approach can transform how you navigate anxiety and reclaim your peace of mind.
