How The Stoics Dealt With Anxiety (10 Strategies)

I wish we would go more into details. There are situations where you should not be a punch bug for someone and punch back. Someone will at least stop treating you this way. Sometimes it is just all you need to do: punch bag and the harassment stops. You need to know that you where hurt then, especially repeatedly.

Thank you for sharing your message. You have made an incredible impact on my life and I’m sure many other so thank you

Excellent reminders. Thank you for this video. 😊

The worst thing we ever suffer from is fear, and the greatest gain you will receive is to be rid of that fear.
It was as if a great mist had suddenly lifted from my mind. I could see so clearly that that panic caused by anxiety wasn't some sort of weakness in me. It was a cyclical self-reinforcing pattern caused by giving anxiety so much power... far from relieving the feeling, was causing it. At the same time, I could see that all these other 'happy' people were
going through the same nightmare that I was, all putting up phoney arguments to try to justify their addiction to anxious thoughts.

IT'S SO NICE TO BE FREE!

I served the military for 20 years. PTSD and anxiety attacks crippled me for years. I was prescribed meds but did not help. But when I stumbled your videos and read Marcus Aurelius meditation I was able to defeat my panic attacks and depression ptsd. I’m more productive and see the world more in present moment. Thank you Ryan!

I tend to worry about scenarios that I create. Very bad habit I have only when I have nothing to worry about at any given moment.

Do not suffer imagined troubles. You really cannot control anything. Even if you are imagining a situation where you are the one in control, you are limited by the skill level you have going into the situation. Ex. If you are stressing about convincing someone to do something, you are limited by the negotiating skill that you posses. So either work on that skill or trust yourself going into that situation. Remind yourself that even if you are the initiator you are not in control after the situation starts. Do not suffer imagined troubles.

These videos are very well produced. Good job!

All very useful. Exercise is the main thing that cured my anxiety(which is in here re the walking). And it has to be vigorous a couple times a week. Exercise made my anxiety worse at first! But after a few months of a regular exercise routine I am now 75% less anxious overall.

Alcohol is a great alternative.

Thanks for the insight. When you talk about feeling emotions and exploring them, it comes across to me as though they are emotions that we are not fully aware or in control of but are seeking to understand and come to terms with. You also suggest that we are in control of our emotions and can choose to feel harmed or not. I’m curious to see how you feel like both of these statements are true or if I just misunderstood your content. Thanks!

thank you so much for this video. Not only helpful, but necessary for daily leaving. excellent reminders
I really appreciate all the lessons. Thank you, for one Stoic to another one.

Why do we fear anxiety so much? Maybe we all just need to learn to accept the uncomfortable feeling? I’m just thinking out loud btw I don’t have the answers.

It feels like he's yelling this stuff to us😅 good advice but chill dude!

Whenever I get sad, I just being and become awesome instead. You guys should try it

Stop caring about what other people think…that is my mission in life…for decades now. But how?

Is everyone anxious

I cant breathe when Im having anxiety attack.. my stomach is so painful. I am shaking.. Nervous system is affected.. this is due to traumas I had.

As a clinical psychologist that specializes in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), I can truly see how CBT is a repackaging of many stoic ideas, such as these. Thank you for spelling it out and explaining these ideas.

Gratitude is something practiced by rich people! I’m not grateful for food when someone else is driving a Ferrari! Only an idiot would be. The rest makes sense

Reduce anxiety by using the same amount as your daily dose and reduce your anxiety levels to the maximum level by using a single shot dose.

None of this works if you suffer from panic disorder and the panic is coming from your body and not your mind. For many of us, the anxiety does not arise in our minds but is somatic. So this does not work at all

#6 is by far my biggest problem. My personality is to have everything squared away / scheduled / setup way ahead of schedule and if I don't I try to imagine and prepare for every outcome I can imagine. I drive myself nuts.

Example a couple of weeks ago i had an international flight with a domestic connection. First time ever. They said i had to get my bag and recheck then go to my connection. On top of immigration. I only had 2 hours. So I imagined what happens if i miss my connection where would i sleep hotel or airport? how to step up my next flight is there going to be anyone there since i arrive late? do i have to do it at 6am and hope? and on and on and on. I asked the stewardess and she said don't worry. and i worried even more. In reality I was at my connection with plenty of time. But if I go through it again i know i will play out how much time I need at each part of the process. So, in the end I do it to myself.

I think I have too little anxiety

This is great stuff. I've been marginally aware of stoicism all my life, but only recently have been paying closer attention and actually studying and practicing it.

Is that Destin?

The thing many people miss whilst observing Stoicism is that it doesn't follow the typical standards of positive thinking that are pushed in today's philosophy. The philosophy of today would have you think that you should remain positive at all times with no exception. That differs greatly from how Stoicism works.!!

Ryan Holiday's work and stoicism has made such an immense impact on my life once I began to meditate on the movement of my own mind. Once I have reflected on moments I'm anxious, moments I don't want to be lonely etc.
I love his book 'The Daily Stoic'. It has been one of my favorite things to do is read it at coffee shops or parks, haven't delved into books before but this one has been great as a gateway book that has lead me to really love reading. I'm off to make the most of work day, I wish everyone an eventful and insightful day.

😯A philosopher living in jungle 🌴🌴🌴

Thanks ❤

I can't tell you how much all your stoic knowledge has helped me over the past few years. Thank you, Ryan...💌

Thank you Ryan i discovered you last month but you're really changing my life and the daily stoic email is something I'm always waiting for everyday, thank you so much for your great work and dedication to help us live a better life

“The whole world is a temple of the Gods.” - Ryan Holiday

Where any of the stoics Christians?

Imagine trying to have fun with bro and he starts quoting Aurelis. Chill papa

This philosophy is straight up dumb. Philosophical scam!

I’d respect this guy a little more if he didn’t have the physique of an accountant

This hit too hard.

I don’t think it’s a temple of the gods I think we just make stuff up. All the more reason to not be anxious.

you dont have to have an opinion aboutt it.. LIKE!

Ty for the video

First of all, I'd like to say that I respect you so. You'll probably not accept my comment but most of all the things you expose in your videos are in Islam. Just to say I've been educated by my parents and my Prophet like the way you explain. Think it over. I hope you'll take a look without any judgement.
All your videos are helpful. Thank you.

If we live in social environment that doesn't support us to think and grow positively, and yet the fire is still in there wanting to grow bigger, these strategies are oasis.

The video sums up many unsaid things.

unfortunately anxiety, depression, angst etc. are natural healthy reactions to real situations. They compel you to act. Therefore I do not seek to repress them but manage the negative effects. All this advice is wrong: malcontent is a driving force to seek improvement instead of being grateful with misery, have no opinion is being a vegetable, stop caring is being a psychopath etc.

TURN OFF THE STUPID MUSIC

If you're getting up on stage. You're not an anxious person.

Great day

Dating used to give me so much damn anxiety. I hate hook up culture and was nervous guys wouldn’t respond to me being exclusive and having a very low sex count. I was upfront about what I wanted even though I was nervous. Surprisingly men want real relationships too 😊I’ve had to be very patient, took it slow, long courtship (months) and cheap dates (my choice) and weeded out the undesirables. I found my match and we are getting married in December! ❤️ fight through anxiety. Be brave!

Thanks 🙏