One of the hallmarks of an anxiety-filled life is that their priority is to relieve their sense of anxiety or avoid future moments with possible anxiety. They create a life where avoiding discomfort is most important, and activities and opportunities for growth and development are secondary.

Research suggests that a life that is prioritized around the avoidance of discomfort and anxiety creates a propensity for unhappiness and anxiety. The more we avoid stress or discomfort, the stronger that fear becomes and eventually dominates our lives.

Let’s think about how this works for kids.

We know that children who establish a pattern of avoiding anxiety and discomfort as a habitual way of dealing with problems end up becoming less and less willing to challenge themselves. They run from complex tasks to prevent situations that could cause anxiety, and their skills and self-esteem shrink accordingly. There is no possibility for developing competence, the ability to handle stress, or to learn skills that allow them to handle frustration and difficulty.

They learn to seek relief from........

© The Saratogian