Anxiety is piled-up unresolved stress.

How to Apply This to Your Life

Anxiety can often feel like an insurmountable burden, but understanding its roots can transform our experience and help us reclaim our peace of mind. Naval Ravikant teaches us that anxiety is essentially built-up, unresolved stress. By recognizing it as a product of unaddressed conflicts, we can take actionable steps to alleviate it.

• Recognize the Source: Start by identifying specific situations or thoughts causing you stress. Keep a journal to document these triggers and your emotional responses to them.

• Practice Awareness: Set aside time each day to reflect on your feelings and your reactions. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or deep-breathing exercises, can help increase awareness of your internal state.

• Address Conflicts: Begin to tackle the conflicts you've identified. Whether it's a conversation you've been avoiding or decisions that need to be made, take small steps toward resolution.

• Set Realistic Goals: Break down larger tasks or decisions into smaller, manageable actions. Celebrate small wins to build momentum and reduce feelings of overwhelm.

• Limit Information Intake: Overconsumption of news or social media can exacerbate anxiety. Set boundaries around your media exposure to reduce stressors.

• Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or professionals. Sharing your feelings can provide fresh perspectives and solutions.

• Reframe Your Mind: Challenge negative thoughts by replacing them with constructive affirmations. Focus on what you can control rather than what you can’t.

By applying these practices to your daily life, you can transform unresolved stress into clarity and resilience. Remember, awareness is the first step toward liberation from anxiety.