The fastest way to stop anxiety in its tracks
How Walden Pond Saved My Life
Ever have days when your anxious thoughts just cripple you?
I found this solution after finding myself in a deep state of anxiety and moderate depression on an overcast November day not long ago.
Earlier in the day, My anxious mind had me strapped to the sofa in a state of torment. Churning over every problem I could think of. Over and over and over.
“Where is my career going? Will I survive the winter ahead? Will I ever get my relationship life together? Will the Patriots win another Super Bowl?”
On and on and on.
I finally challenged my catatonic state by reasoning with myself — “I have a big, fat, powerful mind but it can’t do anything to solve these problems by just laying here — endlessly ruminating.”
I jumped off the sofa and headed for a nearby lake, not any lake — the historic and spiritually uplifting — Walden Pond. Yes, the home of Henry David Thoreau. I submerged myself in the icy, cold water. I didn’t jump in like those taking a holiday plunge, I eased myself into the water — taking several attempts — until I finally submerged. Ahhh…
I had just found the fast-acting emotional relief of cold water immersion.
