Anxiety is a normal part of life for most people. It helps us respond to danger or stressful situations, but sometimes it goes beyond that and can greatly affect our health.
So what is anxiety exactly? And why is it a threat to our health threat? And why if left unmanaged can cause major health issues?
The first thing you should know is that there are different types of anxiety that require different methods to manage it properly.
The good news is that many effective treatments are available—and they don’t have to be scary!
In this post, I’ll share what I’ve learned about dealing with my own issues ( which led to my major health problems) and how I manage them. I will provide some of the methods that worked for me and might work for you.
What is anxiety?
It’s a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease. It can range from mild to severe, and it can be physical (such as muscle tension) or psychological (such as fear).
Anxiety disorders are considered mental health conditions that cause extreme feelings of fear, worry, and dread. They’re the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 18% of adults at some point in their lives.
If you have an anxiety disorder, you may feel like your fears are irrational or uncontrollable—but they aren’t! You can take steps to manage your symptoms and get back to living your best life again.
Anxiety disorders fall into four main categories:
generalized anxiety disorder (GAD),
panic disorder (PD),
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD),
social anxiety disorder (SAD),
There are other classifications but these are the most commons
When someone has an anxiety disorder that’s causing them distress or interferes with their day-to-day life, therapy may be an option for them, and they should reach out to a licensed mental health professional who specializes in treating these types of conditions.
There are also other online cheaper options if you feel like you need to speak to a professional but are able to go in person. Best Online Therapy Services
If therapy is not an option, there are several self-help strategies anyone can try on their own first before seeking outside help if necessary.
Sometimes doing some of your own internal work can be beneficial:21 Inspiring Self-growth books
“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was ending, he turned into a butterfly.” —Anonymous proverb
What does anxiety feel like?
Anxiety can feel like a constant worry, a sense of being on edge, or feeling like you are about to have a panic attack. It can cause physical symptoms, such as feeling sick or having a racing heart.
Some people will feel faint or even get nauseous when experiencing anxiety, while others might start sweating excessively or become disoriented. These symptoms can be distressing and scary if you don’t know what is causing them!
If you are experiencing severe symptoms when you’re feeling anxious, make sure to talk to your doctor to rule out any other causes.
What causes anxiety?
Anxiety can be triggered by many things and is different for everyone, but there are 5 main core reasons someone will suffer from anxiety.
5 main reasons for anxiety include.
Genetics – Some people may have a genetic predisposition to anxiety, which means they are more likely to experience it than others.
Environment – You can also develop anxiety as a result of experiencing stressful or traumatic events in your life. For example, if you had a particularly frightening experience as a child such as being bullied at school, this could have a lasting effect on how you feel about things that happen later in life
Stress – Stressful situations can cause your body to produce hormones like adrenaline and cortisol which can lead to feelings of tension or uneasiness that could escalate into full-blown anxiety attacks
PTSD or panic attacks due to sudden unexpected events happening quickly leaving little time to comprehend what happened. Because the mind is racing faster than the body there is no time to process how they should be reacting, which can lead to an overwhelming sense of fear and dread.
Life events – Other things that can trigger anxiety include worrying about something in the future and being in situations where you feel out of control or have no way of knowing what will happen next (such as an exam or planning to quit your job).
It’s important to remember that anxiety is a natural feeling, but it can be treated if it becomes overwhelming.
Different Types of Anxiety
There are many different types of anxiety disorders. These include the following:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a condition in which a person experiences excessive and uncontrollable worry, often without any obvious reason. It can be caused by stress or traumatic life events, but can also occur without an identifiable cause.
Panic Disorder (PD) is characterized by sudden attacks of fear that may include palpitations, sweating, trembling, and shortness of breath. In some cases, these episodes result in panic attacks with no obvious trigger—for example, when you’re sleeping or showering—and can be accompanied by feelings of terror and even depression.
Social Anxiety Disorder involves having excessive fear about being embarrassed in social situations such as speaking publicly or meeting new people.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) involves having recurring thoughts that are intrusive and unwanted. These may be about things like germs or dirt and lead to obsessive behavior such as washing hands repeatedly or cleaning surfaces excessively frequently; it’s usually linked to anxiety.
Substance-Induced Anxiety Disorder refers to when there’s an association between taking certain substances (including alcohol) for recreational purposes such as drinking alcohol before driving; this may cause people who otherwise wouldn’t have anxiety problems.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can occur after someone goes through a traumatic event. Symptoms include flashbacks and nightmares, as well as feeling emotionally numb or dissociating from other people
“Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that’s very important for good health.” —Dalai Lama
Anxiety disorders are treatable.
The good news is that you can treat your anxiety. There are many different types of anxiety disorders, so it is important that you seek help from a mental health professional who has experience working with people who have Anxiety.
Try not to go at it alone! Talking about how you’re feeling with someone who cares about you can be very helpful—a trusted friend or family member may be all it takes to get through those tough days when nothing seems right in the world.
If you’re having trouble talking with someone close by, there are also many support groups available online where people discuss their struggles with mental health issues openly and honestly. These communities provide a safe space for sharing experiences as well as receiving advice and encouragement from others who understand what it’s like living with an anxiety disorder.
Related: What is Emotional Health? And five simple ways to improve it
How can to manage anxiety?
Managing your anxiety can be harder than it should be, but here are some tips and tricks to help you deal with yours
Progressive muscle relaxation: This exercise involves tensing and then relaxing each part of your body separately, starting from your toes and working up toward the head. It calms down the nervous system when done regularly, which can help prevent future bouts of anxiety or panic attacks.
Meditation: Helps you focus on the present moment and take control of situations that cause stress. When you are aware of your thoughts, you will start to recognize negative thought patterns and stop them in their track, before they take over.
Exercise: Releases endorphins which block pain signals in the brain and reduce stress levels. This can help clear your mind after stressful situations when you feel overwhelmed
Related Best online fitness memberships:
Yoga: This is another form of exercise that is known for its calming effects on the mind, as well as its physical benefits such as improved flexibility and strength. Many styles of yoga focus on control over breathing patterns; this helps with stress reduction by calming down any rapid heart rates caused by hyperventilation during an anxious moment!
Tai chi: The slow, deliberate movements of tai chi can also help with stress reduction and relaxation when practiced regularly. It involves a series of stretches and poses that are often done in conjunction with breathing exercises; this helps calm down the mind and body by focusing on one thing at a time rather than allowing the mind to wander
Positive Affirmations – These involve saying things like “every day I’m getting better” or “I’m doing a great job”. Many people find these useful because they change their thinking patterns from negative ones to positive ones which reduces stress levels over time.
Related: Powerful Affirmations to start your day
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – This is a form of psychotherapy that helps people identify and change patterns in their thinking or behavior that may be contributing to their emotional distress. It’s based on the idea that people often have negative thoughts which lead them to feel stressed or anxious. CBT helps people identify these thoughts, understand why they occur and how they might deal with them more effectively
Eating a Healthy Diet – We must maintain our bodies properly so we can keep up with any demands of life whether it be work-related, or social activities like going out with friends/family, etc. Having proper nutrition will help you stay alert during the day which means less fatigue and exhaustion at night when trying to wind down before bedtime.
Remember that anxiety is a normal part of life. It’s not something to be ashamed of. It doesn’t mean that there’s something wrong with you. Anxiety is more common than many people realize, so if you have it—or think you might—don’t be afraid to reach out for help!
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