It seems like every week there is news of another act of terror.

Kidnappings, mass shootings, and worse. Ingrained in the minds of everyone of a certain age are the events of September 11, 2001, for example.

If you already struggle with anxiety, it makes sense that you have worries about feeling secure from terror in your own home. There is always that fear present in your mind that something bad could happen.

And these fears can also hijack your brain and take over your life.

You can’t be your own Department of Homeland Security, but there are things that you can do when it comes to keeping anxiety in check.

Here are five tips:

Tip #1: Be Informed

First, it’s important to understand the data and the true risk of being exposed to terrorism.

The reality is that the likelihood of dying in an act of terrorism is very, very small. According to the Cato Institute, a person is more likely to die from an animal attack than terrorism. Bees, hornets, and wasps topped the list.

Also, although terrorism (both from domestic and international sources) is still a top priority for the government, there are other rising concerns. These include cybersecurity and the vulnerability of computer systems to attack, as well as climate change.

This information isn’t meant to cause you more anxiety. Rather, it’s intended to provide a reality check when it comes to worries about terror.

Tip #2: Acknowledge Your Worries

Next, it helps to acknowledge that you have anxiety over feeling safe in your home with regards to terrorism. Also, recognize that it’s OK to want to feel safe! In fact, the human brain is wired to ensure safety is a top survival priority.

This is best illustrated by Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Maslow, a 20th-century American psychologist, asserted that after physiological needs are met (such as oxygen and food), the next most important need humans have is safety.

Thus, it helps to know that the anxiety you are feeling is, in part, understandable. This can help you greatly with keeping anxiety in check. That’s because the anxiety gets amplified when you believe you are experiencing the feeling that you are somehow not “normal.”

Tip #3: Create Space

For keeping anxiety in check, it helps to make space for yourself. Create some distance between yourself and the sources that originate or amplify your anxiety.

In connection to the 24-hour news cycle that is the reality of modern media, that means taking a break from both watching the news and social media. Why? Because when you watch the news, it can seem as if they are trying to keep you on edge with the latest breaking story or update—always trying to top or outperform the previous news. Plus, viewing the pictures and video connected to news reports doesn’t help with keeping anxiety in check either.

Hence, just as with other sources of anxiety, it helps to have some distance from the news and media sources. Turn off your phone, get out of the house, or do something that requires 100% of your attention.

Tip #4: Understand How You Respond to Stress

There is that old saying “Know thy self.” That certainly applies to keeping anxiety in check. Do some reflection about what specifically triggers your anxiety in relation to terror. Then, consider what are the physiological and emotional responses that you experience.

For example:

  • Rapid breathing
  • Sweating
  • Impending doom
  • Trembling hands
  • Increased agitation
  • Rapid eye movement
  • Feeling trapped

Knowing how you respond to stress helps with making changes to your behaviors. For example, if you read a story about an act of terrorism, do you feel your anxiety rising? How does it manifest? Use those indicators as reminders to yourself that you are having a reaction and that you can take steps to calm down (breathing, meditation, shifting your attention, etc.).

Tip #5: Keep Your Anxiety in Check with Therapy

Finally, a critical part of managing your anxiety will be working with a therapist. A therapist will be that extra asset that can help you combat your anxiety more effectively.

For one, a therapist is trained to listen to you and hear your concerns. They won’t judge you or try to say “that’s ridiculous!” Moreover, they will be able to work with you to create a plan for managing your anxiety for the long-haul.

When you think about it, to keep your anxiety about terror in check, you use the same techniques as for any other kind of anxiety. By applying these five simple tips and participating in anxiety treatment, you can ease your homeland security worries and feel secure.

—

If you would like to know more about my approach to anxiety treatment, please contact me or click on the link.