{"id":6017,"date":"2022-04-28T07:01:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-28T12:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/?p=6017"},"modified":"2025-07-08T19:02:17","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T00:02:17","slug":"apprehension-uncertainty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/apprehension-uncertainty\/","title":{"rendered":"Living with Apprehension Tension? Tips for Coping with Uncertainty."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Uncertainty<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

To say we\u2019re living in uncertain times would be an understatement. From pandemics and wars to social unrest and economic struggles, it seems no matter where you look there\u2019s something to worry about that makes our future seem filled with uncertainty.\u00a0So, it should come as no surprise that more people are dealing with \u201capprehension tension.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uncertainty can cause countless mental and physical health problems. It often contributes to anxiety, depression, stress, and can even lead to extreme fear. Because we\u2019re dealing with such uncertainty in the world, it\u2019s easy for anxiety to take over and start to control nearly everything you do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, how can you fight back? <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

I first wrote about this 2 years ago, at the beginning of the Pandemic (see Coping with Uncertainty<\/a>). As time has gone by, it seems like our uncertainty has just grown. So, how can you cope with uncertainty and keep the fear it causes from completely derailing your life and choices? Let\u2019s cover a few coping techniques you can use to take control again, and combat apprehension tension from taking over your thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Focus On What You Can Control<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your mind is constantly swirling over things you can\u2019t control, it\u2019s time to hit the mental \u201cpause\u201d button. There are thousands of things you\u2019ll face on a daily basis that you have no control over. Focusing on those things will only leave you feeling more anxious and worried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, try to shift your focus to the things within your power. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What can you control? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, let\u2019s say you had to start working remotely during the pandemic and are still working from home. You can\u2019t control things like technology, your co-workers, or even how others communicate. You\u00a0can<\/em>\u00a0control your daily routine, how you manage your time, and how you communicate and negotiate with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accept Uncertainty<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not uncommon for people to \u201cignore\u201d their emotions concerning uncertainty. Some might even try to act like it doesn\u2019t exist, or assert that they\u2019re not worried about anything. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, disturbing emotions don\u2019t stay buried for long. Emotions demand to be felt and expressed. If you try to ignore them, you\u2019ll likely end up feeling bombarded and even more overwhelmed when they come to the surface.\u00a0Or they might get “expressed” through more physical tension and upset – headaches, digestive problems, trouble sleeping, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Acceptance<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Accepting that you don\u2019t know everything or have control over everything is healthy emotional processing. After all, it is reality. It always has been reality, but we don’t often think about it until the limits of our control smacks us in the face! So, give yourself some time and space each day to notice how it makes you feel, and acknowledge those emotions \u2013 even if they\u2019re scary. Ask yourself why you feel such a strong need for certainty and control on a grand scale.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, accepting anxiety doesn\u2019t mean you shouldn\u2019t have a plan of action in place. You can acknowledge apprehension in your life and still come up with a strategy to combat it. Combining these two efforts is one of the best ways to cope with and feel more in control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, I can’t control inflation, but I can shift my spending habits so that I can stay within a budget and maybe even save a bit for the uncertainty of the future. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be More Mindful<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mindfulness is a word that tends to get thrown around a lot these days \u2013 for good reason. It\u2019s effective. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mindfulness<\/a> is the practice of staying in the present and focusing on the moment. It\u2019s especially effective when you\u2019re feeling distracted or disoriented by anxiety. Getting still, closing your eyes, breathing deeply, and focusing on how you feel in your surroundings, can help you observe anxious thoughts and responses. Then you can calmly consider what you can control in that very moment.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practice Stress Management<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the best ways to keep apprehension tension from taking over is to manage your stress levels each day. Management techniques are different for everyone. But, some of the best practices to include in your routine are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Stress<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n