How to Set Healthy Distance from Your Anxiety

mitsuny
Aug 15
2 min read

Last time, we talked about the role of anxiety.Anxiety, along with fear, plays a vital role in protecting us—it’s not the enemy.But turning anxiety into a “bad guy” or trying to fight it often makes things worse. So, instead of resisting anxiety, let’s learn to observe and reframe our relationship with it.

Today, I’ll guide you through a simple exercise to help you understand the distance between yourself and your anxiety.

✏️ Exercise 1: “Draw Your Distance from Anxiety”

In this exercise, you’ll visualize how close or far anxiety feels from you. By putting your feelings onto paper, you’ll gain a more objective view of what’s going on inside.

Step 1: Prepare a pen and paper.

On the page, draw a symbol for yourself and another for your “Anxiety.”

Ask yourself:

Is Anxiety right in front of your face?
Is it watching from a distance?
Is it sitting inside your body?
Whispering in your ear?
Standing behind your shoulder?

There are no rules. You can draw stick figures, symbols, or even just words.

👉 Then draw “Your Current Distance” and “Your Ideal Distance.”Example: “Right now, Anxiety is right in my face. Ideally, I want it far enough away that I can still hear it, but not be overwhelmed by it.”

If you want, describe what “Anxiety” looks like.What’s its facial expression? What is it saying to you?

This is the beginning of your dialogue.

By externalizing anxiety in this way, we take the first step toward regaining control. You’ll find that once Anxiety becomes something outside of you, it no longer hijacks your nervous system the same way.This awareness opens the door to real change.

Next time, we’ll explore how to shift your internal state, once you've gained this clarity.

Warmly,

Mitsu Emig

Certified Hypnotherapist & Coach based in New York

Master of Social Work (MSW) – University of Michigan

Harvard/Radcliffe Management Program Graduate

Available for sessions via Zoom or in-person in Manhattan

I support emotional and life transformation through subconscious rewiring.

📩 Inquiries & bookings:

https://www.mitsuny.com

https://www.nystylecoach.com

mitsuny.com@gmail.com