Anxiety & Depression: How Values Help
Values for Navigating Anxiety and Depression
Values play a crucial role in managing anxiety and depression. When we’re disconnected from our core values, we may experience increased stress, anxiety, and feelings of disconnection to our own world.
This happens because our identity - who we are - comes from our values. Without them, we don’t know what’s important to us, what we don’t want, and even how to make choices without second-guessing ourselves or worrying that we made the wrong decision.
Anxiety is living in the future - trying to make ourselves feel safe by attempting to predict the future. It’s subconscious so we’re often not aware of this. So you can choose a value such as openness to new experiences, cultivating acceptance of what comes your way, or seeing the unknown as an adventure. This allows us to manage anxiety because the unknown becomes less frightening and so loses its power.
Depression is living in the past - wishing something had or had not happened, usually with deep regret. We can choose a value of acceptance or forgiveness - to people, events and also ourselves - which allows us to leave that emotional pain in the past.
Incorporating Values to Reduce Anxiety and Depression
Incorporating values into our lives can help reduce anxiety and depression by providing a clear sense of forward direction, purpose and control over our emotions.
Start small: making daily choices that honour our values. If connection is a core value, we can prioritise time with loved ones or engage in community activities. Or when faced with a challenging situation, focusing on our value of resilience can shift our mindset from "I can't handle this" to "I can grow from this experience." This reframing not only helps manage immediate symptoms but also fosters long-term emotional health.
When we align our actions with our values, we create a life that feels more meaningful & creatively, and less like something that happens to us without our involvement.
The Therapeutic Power of Values
Living by our values helps us reframe negative thoughts and provides a stable foundation during emotional turmoil - we have a more solid understanding of our identity and who we want to be. Values allow us to work towards that future us.
Understanding and incorporating our values into daily life is a powerful strategy for managing anxiety and depression. By aligning our actions with our core values, we create a sense of self,of purpose and of resilience that can help us navigate mental health challenges more effectively. Embrace our values, and let them guide you to a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Next: How to work out your Core Values.