No-fuss anxiety tips #13

Value your values

Welcome to blog number 13 of 20 in this quick-read series on anxiety. Each post aims to give you actionable ideas on how you can get a handle on your anxiety.  

What these tips won’t do is explore the origins and purpose of anxiety for you – this type of deeper exploration is what therapy offers. That said, having strategies for managing anxiety is a great place to start.  Each article is designed to be quick read, no-fuss. So, let’s get dive into another technique: value your values. 

Values are the principles we try to live by - the things we hold important that influence what we do. They are the WHY of our actions. Different people have different values. Perhaps you value justice, honesty and connection? Or maybe your values include spontaneity, creativity and freedom? You might prize success, recognition and resilience most? 

When we live in ways that don’t align with our values, we can feel a sense of unease and an anxiousness. In contrast, if you can be clear about your values and then make choices that allow you to live these out, you can experience greater contentment and a decrease in panic, fear and anxiety.

Taking time to identify your values is a powerful self-development tool. It’s a way to value your values.  Even if other people, or even your own critical voice, disagrees with your decision, once you know and respect your own values, you can stand firm in knowing that you have made a decision that is right for you.

To help develop your repertoire of managing anxiety, look out for more blogs within this series. If you’re considering speaking with a counsellor about anxiety, do get in touch. We can work together through online counselling or through face-to-face counselling at my therapy room in Preston.