Anxiety & Overwhelm
Have you been feeling anxious?
You're not alone.
In today's fast-paced world, where so many things are happening around us, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and anxious.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 6.8 million adults, or 3.1% of the U.S. population are affected by General Anxiety Disorder, yet only 43.2% are receiving treatment.
Anxiety is as common among older age groups as it is among younger age groups.
Everyone feels anxious at times. Anxiety can surface when you face a challenge when you are going through a significant change in life, when the pressure’s on you to do well, or when you’ve got a worry on your mind. These are all things we go through at one point in our life.
Anxiety turns on your body’s stress response (fight or flight). This instant surge of stress hormones is a survival response. It prepares you to react quickly and protect yourself if you need to. If you’re scared or not sure you’re safe, anxiety prompts you to be cautious.
But many people feel anxious in situations that are stressful to them but aren't dangerous.
Here are some of the physical and mental symptoms of anxiety:
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety
- Headaches
- Chest pains
- Loss of appetite
- Sweating
- Breathlessness
- Feeling hot
- Shaking
Mental Symptoms of Anxiety
- Feeling tense or nervous
- Being unable to relax
- Worrying about the past
- Worrying about the future
- Feeling tearful
- Not being able to sleep
- Difficulty concentrating
If you deal with anxiety, there are strategies you can use to avoid feeling consumed by it.
Here are some quick solutions to help you address the situation immediately, as well as long-term methods to combat a recurring issue.
Here are Five Things That Can Help You Through Anxious Moments:
1. Have a ‘Growth’ Mindset
The opposite of a growth mindset is a fixed mindset. This type of mindset is where one might think, “This is how I am. I'm too anxious to speak up at work. So I don’t raise my hand.”
However, people with a growth mindset find ways to continuously improve despite their circumstances.
2. Challenge Negative Thoughts
We all have negative thoughts. But the trick is not to let them consume you. Ask yourself: Is this a productive thought? Is it helping me get closer to my goal?
3. Breathe
Our breath is our anchor that we can go back to any time we feel overwhelmed or anxious. When you feel anxious, take a few slow breaths. Breathe in slowly. Be sure to breathe out all the way. You can use your fingers to count four or five breaths, in and out.
4. Face the Situation
Don’t wait for anxiety to go away. You might think that you’ll put off speaking in class or talking to that new person, or starting that business until you no longer feel anxious about it. But it doesn’t work that way. It’s facing the anxiety that helps you lower it.
5. Ask for Professional Help
You don't have to deal with this alone. Ask for help. Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength.
This information, as always, is not meant to scare, prescribe, or make you feel ashamed.
Let's destroy the taboos surrounding mental health with fact-based education and an extra portion of kindness towards ourselves and others. 💙
If you are struggling with anxiety or your mental health in general, please feel free to reach out to our licensed mental health coaches.
Once you find what treatment works best for you, life should be a lot more enjoyable and a lot less daunting.
