Dua For Anxiety and Stress (How To Overcome Fears and Hardships)

If you want to skip ahead to the Duas for anxiety and stress click here.

Introduction

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is your body's natural response to stress. It's often a feeling of fear we get when we try to anticipate (negatively) what is about to happen.

Common everyday examples, first day on the job, first day of school, going for an interview, giving a speech all may cause people to become fearful and nervous.

It's important to recognize this type of anxiety, although unpleasant, can be motivation for completing a task and doing things better. Ordinary anxiety is a feeling that comes and goes and does not interfere with your everyday life.

In the case of an anxiety disorder (PTSD, Panic Disorders, phobias, separation anxiety disorder) the feelings of fear may be with you all the time. It is intense and can be debilitating.

If depression and anxiety persists then we highly recommend you see a doctor to address the issues you are having.

Powerful Islamic Teachings To Overcome Anxiety and Stress

Living with day tight compartments.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said,
"A strong believer is better and is more lovable to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone, (but) cherish that which gives you benefit (in the Hereafter) and seek help from Allah and do not lose heart, and if anything (in the form of trouble) comes to you, don't say: If I had not done that, it would not have happened so and so, but say: Allah did that what He had ordained to do. Your" if" opens the (gate) for the Satan" (Sahih Muslim 2664)

The message behind this hadith, is to only focus on the things you can control today. To live your life in a day tight compartment, we don't have a time machine that we can use to travel to the past, there's no point in letting our mind dwell on things that have already happened. Focus your effort on the present that is the only thing in your control. Your questioning, "if" I had done this, or said that is a gate for Shaitan. Instead, let the past be a school from which you can learn from. Say instead, "Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) did what he ordained to do" and move forward focusing on the future.

It's a simple concept but hard in practice. If you master this, you can live a much more happy and fulfilled life.

Keep on Smiling 🙂

Another powerful idea to dealing with your fears comes from remembering these three words, "I'll handle it".

Do you remember the thing three years ago where you felt like this was the end, or how you questioned how you would ever overcome such a difficult task. Well, you handled it and that's why you're here.

The feeling of fear can ultimately be rooted down to a sense of not being able to handle or comeback after a rejection or failing at some task. But this is not true. We are more resilient and adaptable than we give ourselves credit for. "Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear. (Qur’an 2:286)" So remember,

What if I lose my job over this? I’ll handle it.
What if my car breaks down? I’ll handle it.
What if this fight ends the friendship? I’ll handle it.
What if I fail miserably and am humiliated? I’ll handle it.

Why does this work? Cause Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) tells us in the Qur'an that every test we face, every adversity or obstacle life throws in our face, we are designed to handle it. We must show patience, strength and courage and we'll overcome this challenge just as we had with all the others.

Duas for worries, anxiety, and fears

Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) will do that which was ordained. However, it is important Tawakkul which means reliance-on or trust-in Allah Azzawajal. He who does not believe in the existence and absolute power of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) will find it difficult to navigate through life and hardships.

"If you had all relied on Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) as you should rely on Him, then He would have provided for you as He provides for the birds, who wake up hungry in the morning and return with full stomachs at dusk." (At-Tirmidhi)

Anas bin Malik said: Whenever a matter would distress the Prophet (ﷺ), he would say the following supplication:

The second du'a is one which Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) used to recite to seek refuge with Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) from the difficult moments of worry and grief. To seek relief from hardships of debt and protection from enemies.

In another narration, Abu Hurairah reported that whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) was faced with a serious difficulty, he would raise his head to the sky and supplicate,

Quick Tips:

In Islam, our physical bodies have a right over us. No matter how great your mind may be, you are limited by the vessel of your body. It is important the that you take care of our health, optimize your nutrition, get enough quality sleep, and try to exercise regularly.

Many scientific experiments have shown eating healthy, getting enough sleep on a regular consistent schedule, and exercising daily (even for 10-20 minutes daily) can decrease stress and make you feel alive and energized.

These three – diet, sleep, and exercise – are the pillars of physical health.

From a Harvard Research, the foods you eat may have a beneficial impact on your brain if you frequently experience anxiety.

These foods include:

• Salmon
• Asparagus
• Foods rich in zinc such as oysters, cashews, liver, beef, and egg yolks have been linked to lowered anxiety.
• Psychiatry Research suggested a link between probiotic foods and a lowering of social anxiety. Eating probiotic-rich foods such as pickles, yogurt, sauerkraut, and kefir was linked with fewer symptoms.
• Foods rich in B vitamins such as avocado and almonds
• Beans, fruits, berries, nuts, and vegetables (like asparagus).
• Dark Chocolate

For Sleep, choose a time to go to bed that will allow you 7-8 hours of interrupted sleep. Once you choose a time, be consistent since your body likes a routine. Changing your sleeping cycles will not give you the energy needed to tackle your day.

For exercise, you don't need to train like an athlete. Humans, were meant to be on our feet moving. We've strayed away from what Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) designed our bodies for, and instead we sit stationary at desks all day. The key is to just begin, start small, walk around your house, if the weather is good, go for a walk around your neighborhood. Immerse yourself in nature, bike, walk, or jog through trails and woodlots. The key is:

Be active and enjoy the activity.

Conclusion

Overcoming stress and anxiety is difficult but necessary since you don't want to let your fears and emotions have complete autonomous control over your life.

You want to be in control.

It will take patience and effort and it will be hard, but it's possible to overcome. Islam teaches us by adopting healthy habits in your mind, body, and spirit, you can overcome the challenges and fears in your life.

Just remember, put full faith in Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ), recite the duas we covered here (and there are also many more you can find) and focus on what you can control today.

Forget about the past and don't stress about the future. Remember whatever fear you have, you can handle it. Lastly, don't forget to sleep, diet and exercise.

Our success depends on our sincere efforts to better ourselves. It is the mercy of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ). He is happy with us if He finds us making our best effort. For each person, their best effort will vary, but that's not important. What's important is that we try to the best of our ability. Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) knows best.