Is That a Ghost in the Corner or Just My Alarm Clock? Tips for Dealing With Nighttime Anxiety

If you live in this world, chances are you've experienced it. The grip of extreme and debilitating anxiety, haunting you in the middle of the night, waking you up in a cold sweat with questions spiraling inside your head. Will I be able to pay the rent? Will I ever find my soulmate? How can I pay for holiday gifts? Did I leave the stove on? Is that a ghost in the corner or just my alarm clock? Most of us have felt this terror at some point in our lives. While going through some big changes the past few years, I felt it EVERY night for a long time. So in order to continue my existence on this lovely planet, I had to find a solution. Walking around, half asleep, with bags under may eyes was certainly NOT the way to attract goodness into my life -- let alone the man of my dreams.

So here's what I learned.

Worry is negative prayer. It's true. It's kinda like the old saying, "You create what you fear." When you worry, you're actually asking the Universe to give you what you DON'T want.

So when you're lying in bed awake and worried -- STOP. I know this is easier said than done. But the way to solve this problem is to bring yourself back to the present moment. This gives your brain something to focus on -- other than your fear. To do this, take a deep breath and go WITHIN. Unless your house is really burning down or a poltergeist is coming at you from a fuzzy TV screen, chances are, in the moment YOU ARE OK. All your worries and fears are NOT REAL. They are OUT THERE. If they are out there, they can't be in the present moment. And neither can you. In this moment, you still have a roof over your head, a job, a marriage, food, your heath -- whatever it is you're worried about. You're not doing that presentation; you're not late for a flight; you're not breaking up a fight with Aunt Ethel and Uncle Bernie on Christmas Day. You're HERE in the MOMENT. And all is well.

What you focus on gets BIGGER!

You may have experienced this in your life, but didn't realize it. For example: Have you ever gotten out of bed, tripped over the dog and stubbed your toe, sending shooting pain through your body? Then you spill your coffee, get stuck in traffic, making you late for work, pissing off your boss, who in turn demotes you, and eventually fires you? ALL because you stubbed your toe!! Okay, maybe that's a bit extreme -- but you get the point. One bad thing leads to another. Isn't that a song? If you don't shift the negative energy on the spot -- it will get bigger and BIGGER. Move yourSELF back to the present moment, recognize that you're OKAY and this will immediately boost your vibration and allow yourSELF to shift the energy into an upward momentum.

The good news is, this also works when positive things happen. If you're having a great day -- your spirits are up, your vibration is high and you ATTRACT more good stuff.

Gratitude is another great way to shift your energy. When anxiety or fear strikes, first bring yourself into the present moment, then think about all the great things your already have. Even if the only thing you can think of is that you are ALIVE and breathing, it's a start. Be grateful for that.

Don't forget to BREATHE. Focusing on your breath helps bring you back to your center -- which is where LOVE resides and guess what else? The present moment -- where all is well.

Of course, meditation is also a way to avoid anxiety. I love to meditate before I go to sleep at night. This usually wards off any anxiety and allows me to sleep well. But if you still wake up, using meditation to "get out of your head" in the middle of the night, works wonders.

So, let's review. Here are the simple steps to easing nighttime anxiety -- or any anxiety for that matter.

1. STOP and bring yourSELF back to the PRESENT MOMENT where ALL is WELL.

2. Notice that all is well and that your anxiety is coming from FEAR of what might happen -- not what actually is happening. IT'S NOT REAL. IT'S OUT THERE.

3. Think of all the things you have in your life that you are grateful for.

4. Breathe! Oh, and visually surrounding yourself with LIGHT works wonders!

5. Meditate

6. Sleep peacefully, knowing that you are loved because you ARE LOVE and you are always taken care of.

Awww. Much better!

For the highest good...

xo, Christy Jacobs

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