How to deal with anxiety and what are great methods to help? Divorce, performance at work or school, loss of a family member or close friend, layoffs, community or global threats of terrorism, etc,. There are several reasons for people to feel anxious today. We may not be able to control the fact that we get anxious but we are in control of how much we allow it to affect us and for how long we allow it stay. Many spend a lifetime crippled with anxiety and would not know what a life without it feels like.
How to Deal with Anxiety - Healthy Anxiety
Normal Anxiety vs. Harmful Anxiety
Anxiety is the bodies “fight or flight” responses. This response kept our early ancestors safe back in the days of “eat or be eaten”. Survival of the fittest days. Our bodies would put out the adrenaline rush that is an indicator. It is a natural reaction to things perceived as life threatening and very stressful.
In today’s modern world, this reaction is used to help motivate us. It prepares humans for obstacles we face, giving us energy to take the action when it’s needed.
A job interview is coming up and your nervous. Your motivated to spend the time to get dressed nicely and rehearse what you will say and how you will present yourself. Maybe you have an appointment with a divorce attorney so you do your homework and make sure that your prepared. This type of anxiety motivates you to present your best foot forward and do your best.
Most of us know that it does not take a certain threat only the idea of a crisis can send some into panic or crisis mode. The challenge and difficulty is in learning how to turn down the automatic fight or flight response. We need to think first and ask ourselves, “Is this really a serious threat or danger that I am perceiving?”
Anxiety tends to take on a life all of it’s own. It leaves us frighten and frozen. Some act out in anger and others avoid it and isolate or shut down. Everything then can become a perceived crisis or threat. Anxiety about how we perform at our jobs, in relationships, with our family and peers, etc. We make up the fear or threat in our mind where it is really not there yet we perceive it to be much larger than it is.
Anxiety Takes a Toll
Anxiety takes a toll on your body. It is hard to sleep, concentrate, your eating patterns are affected. You may get serious headaches and an upset stomach. Some may even get panic attacks to the point you feel as if your heart is pounding out of your chest and you cannot breath. Anxiety can often times feel like depression. The two can overlap at times.
How To Deal With Anxiety And Seeking Help
Overwhelming anxiety interferes with your day to day activities. Anxiety inhibits you from living a full and productive life. Seeking help is beneficial. The main purpose of anxiety is to be and indicator of threat. Thanks to heavy conditioning of our society. Children are taught by their parents that the world is hostile. To be fearful and and “on guard” at all times.
Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized as excessive worry and anxiety. It is the state of expecting that the worst will always occur. There does not have to be an apparent reason. Our minds want to create disaster. Worry is common. Anxiety keeps us in constant fear and concern. Directly with those close to us, family, children, friends, relationships. Anxiety affects your health, career, and finances. GAD is the diagnosis describing a person that lives with fear. More days than not it controls them on most days. Anxiety lasting 6 months.
In all cases of anxiety and worry people find they are not able to make good decisions for themselves. This has a spiraling effect and increases the fear and anxiety. Procrastination sets in and they tend to isolate from others.
Seeking professional help can be hugely beneficial. Anxiety counseling has many wonderful benefits. Lasting change and freedom from anxiety is possible. Read tips to help get to the root of anxiety.
- Be able to identify the negative thoughts and self statements clearly.
- Challenge these negative thoughts. Are they real? What is the underlying self statement? What are you telling yourself from false conditioning?
- Learn to replace the negative self statements with positive ones that are going to bring about effective change.
- Utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is effective. It helps you to see how your thoughts affect your behavior. This leads to how you respond in your actions.
There is nothing wrong with seeking the help you need. If your nervous or apprehensive about calling, it is understandable. It is my job and pleasure to help walk you out of the fear and crippling anxiety. Don’t let anxiety keep you from living the life you deserve today. Call today and lets talk about what your needs are.
