Anxiety is an overwhelming feeling of worry and fear that affects daily life. It presents in different ways. It can show itself as: –
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- The desire to control people and events
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Feeling agitated or angry
- Difficulty managing emotions
- Over planning for situations and events
- Physical symptoms like headaches or stomach aches
- Feeling worried about future situations and ruminating about past events
- Intolerance of uncertainty
We underestimate our coping skills and overestimate the perceived threat in situations. This leads to avoidance of people or situations sometimes.
How can I manage my anxiety?
- Focused breathing- Breathe deeply in through your nose and out through your mouth 5 times. This calms your body and reverses your body’s automatic reaction to stress.
- Challenge your negative thoughts. Check if they are true and see where you can take back control.
- Walk away from the situation or distract yourself. Go for a walk or do some exercise focusing on your body.
- Write in a journal all the things that are bothering you. Explore these feelings before you go to bed at night to help you sleep better.
- Talk to a friend about your anxious feelings. It can be a great way to get in touch with the sources of your anxiety.
If your anxiety is overwhelming your mental health care provider will be able to assist you with discovering and understanding your anxious feelings and thoughts. BREAK THE STIGMA, your mental health matters.