I started to read every day but the thoughts kept racing through my mind. It became obnoxious, how am I supposed to follow along with what's going on in my book and I don't even remember what happened the line before? What is the author even talking about anymore?
Practice reading aloud! Not only does it help me become a better speaker, but reading a book out loud is like reading thoughts from another out loud. For people who have anxiety that means 2 things:
1. You can retrain your thoughts on how to think effectively again instead of the anxious autopilot thoughts we often live in. This works better with self-help books but I believe all books can help. This is so awesome because if you’ve had anxiety and depression for a long time you forget what your brain used to be like. You forgot what a brain is like without these mental issues. I couldn't even imagine my brain like that. Reading aloud helps enforce positive thoughts to be downloaded in our heads to generate other thoughts later.
2. Reading aloud helps you stay in the moment. Sure you may feel stupid but you're using your eyes to read, your mouth to speak, and your ears to listen. It's pretty hard to have anxious thoughts running through your brain as all of that happens. It’s good practice ignoring your anxious thoughts and detaching from them. You aren't running from your problems, you are prioritizing something that makes you better and not allowing anxiety to rob you of your goals. Reading quietly requires more focus than usual for people who overthink. Reading aloud gives you the benefit because you’re reading and speaking. Bad thoughts may pop up but you don’t have a second to give them any attention, because if you do then you can’t read aloud. It’s like mindful meditation!
The more energy I put behind speaking out loud the better and more powerful I feel. It's empowering to hear your own voice. It's especially empowering to hear your own voice over rude and intrusive thoughts! Also, now when you hear your voice in conversation you are used to it! You'll become a more confident speaker and that confidence kills anxiety.
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