What is the best strategy for dealing with lifelong anxiety without using medication.?

I have had anxiety problems since I was a little child, especially of a health anxiety nature. It seems every few weeks I think I have a new serious problem. Thanks very much for any help.

I’m not an expert, but I know the key for me was to use my mind like a bug zapper. The bugs are bad thoughts — things you keep letting play over again in your head. The way to zap them is just turn your mind away from them as soon as you notice that you’re thinking them. See, your mind treats every thought as fact and your body reacts as if it were really happening, so you need to stop the bad thoughts and replace them with good ones. “I’m feeling sick” becomes “I feel great!” Even if you feel the affirmation is a lie at first, if you persist in telling yourself you feel good and you don’t think contradictory thoughts, you’re mind and body will respond as if it were true and soon enough, it will be.
It’s a matter of mental discipline. Your thoughts produce emotions and emotions generate physical responses.
Of course, you may not have any thoughts you can identify that are generating your anxiety, or you are just in such a state of physical reaction that nothing helps. If these are the case, you might have some belief about the world that you learned long ago and it produces fear for you. You may need someone’s help to find out what that belief is and what it is you fear. You may have to make the thought conscious before it can be zapped once and for all.
I hope this helps. There are alot of books out there. Most of the ones I have read are some variation on the concept of mental discipline and a bunch even go as far as saying you create or attract the reality you imagine. Whether you buy that or not, I know controlling your thoughts can help. Anxiety is horrible, but it can usually be overcome. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Good luck!!

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