Managing Anxiety
Is anxiety blighting your life? Do you feel trapped into an ever spiralling chain of anxious feelings?
Anxiety is for many people, a common problem. Whether it’s anxiety about new situations, meeting people or speaking in public, anxiety can have a crippling effect upon our lives. A number of individuals experience anxious feelings when there appears to be little reason or no evident reason for it.
Although many people experience similar anxiety – related symptoms, factors such as personal circumstances, the level of support available and their environment need to be taken into account as these will also affect an individual’s experience of anxiety and how they are able to deal with it.
Many of the symptoms of anxiety feel like fear. We all have a fear response built into us to keep us safe. Often referred to as the ‘fight or flight’ response, physically our body is prepared to either run away from danger or to face and attack it. We need this response, however, it becomes a problem when we experience the fearful feelings and there is no actual danger.
Some common symptoms of anxiety
- Heart palpitations
- Sweating
- Dry mouth
- Muscle tension
- Trembling
- Rapid or erratic breathing
- Feeling light headed
- Frequently needing the toilet
- Nausea, stomach fluttering/churning
- Panic attacks (A sudden intense attack of anxiety – either in a situation that is likely to make you feel anxious or, seemingly, for no reason at all)
Help and support
Talking about one’s anxiety can sometimes be difficult. Sadly, many people, often males, believe it is a sign of weakness and are embarrassed to admit they are suffering. The response we get from others too, even those we are close to, can influence whether we are open about it or not. Others may not understand, especially if they themselves have never suffered from anxiety. Being told to ‘snap out of it’ can be one of the worst responses to hear if you are feeling anxious. Such attitudes can lead to people hiding how they feel and not asking for the support they need and deserve.
If anxiety is blighting your life, the first thing to do is to acknowledge it and seek help. Speak with your GP or another health professional who can offer advice and support. Speak with family and friends and ask for their support.
There are things you can do to help yourself too. If the root of your anxiety is a particular traumatic experience then addressing and working through this with a professional may be something you would consider. Clearing past trauma can be very cathartic for many people.
Hypnotherapy has been used successfully to help aleviate anxiety and to stop panic attacks for many people. I offer a no obligation telephone consultation to discuss the situation with you in the first instance. This will mean you’ll be in a better position to consider if hypnotherapy is the right way forward for you.
Things you can do to help yourself:
Make some time to get outdoors in the fresh air. Being in a peaceful natural environment helps to calm the body and the mind.
Exercise! Moving your body will help you to remain supple, can take your mind off the things which are making you feel anxious as well as giving your mood a lift.
If you are agoraphobic and going outdoors isn’t an option for you, then do some type of exercise indoors. Any movement is good and will help to boost the ‘feel good’ hormones in your body.
Listen to music that either calms you or that lifts your heart. The right type of music can be a an excellent way of calming your mind and your body.
When you’re feeling anxious or low, look around you and notice things in your environment that you are fortunate to have in your life right now.
Try to get a good night’s sleep. Put your phone and laptop away at least an hour before going to bed so that your mind is not over-stimulated. Resting your mind and body during sleep is crucial to how you feel.
Start to engender an ‘Attitude of Gratitude’ by beginning each day saying ‘Thank You’ for at least three things. It doesn’t need to be anything major, looking forward to your first cuppa of the day is something to be thankful for. Then, before you go to sleep at night, think back through your day and say ‘Thank You’ for anything positive in your day or that you appreciated. We all have bad days but there is always some small thing to be thankful for. Just managing to get through the day could be it.
If you suffer from panic attacks, one of the initial symptoms is a dry mouth so make sure you have moisture in your mouth at all times. (Caffinated drinks are known as ‘liquid stress’ so it needs to be water or a weak juice) If you don’t have any water to hand, imagine you are about to bite into a chunk of a bright yellow freshly cut lemon. Your saliva glands should soon ensure you have a moist mouth after that!
Finally, even beginning to address your anxiety and starting to do something about it can have a positive effect upon how you feel and on your ability to manage or overcome it.
For more information or to book your free phone consultation, contact me now.