In the same way that the disease of the 1980s was stress, recent years have seen an increase in the number of anxiety based disorders. Yet one of the first steps in dealing with anxiety is to realise that it is part of the body’s response to stress. The better that we understand stress and what causes us to be stressed, the better equipped we will be to deal with it.
As we look at 21st century life we begin to understand our stress and our anxiety. With the current economic climate there is the threat of loss of employment and a drastic lowering of living standards. There are pressures looking after the elderly as the population becomes older. There is the increase in traffic that seems to block our every move with road rage and frustration being an ever present danger. Just coping with the day can make us exhausted.
When does this stress and anxiety become a problem? Well the simple answer is when there is no break in the stress. The body gets no chance to recover, and is in an almost permanent state of fight or flight. This permanent state of stress means that the hormone levels are heightened and things like normal sleep patterns become a problem. The stress combined with the tired state can begin to make the person anxious about almost everything to a point where they are having difficulty functioning.
There are several steps that you can take. First is to learn to relax, not simply sit down with a book and a nice cup of tea, but a more structured relaxation that helps you to find and reduce the tension in your body and let it go slowly. With practice you can really begin to feel the benefit. If you search on you tube or the like you will find many good relaxation tracks.
Be honest with yourself, in as much as challenge negative thoughts. Be especially suspicious of thoughts which are absolute. Everyone knows I am a fool, while you might feel that way it is unlikely to be literally true. I always make mistakes, I am useless, again it seems unlikely that you never get it right, for example you got up, you got dressed. Try to celebrate the things you did do when you are feeling this way not dwell on the things you can’t
Breathing makes a bit difference with anxiety and especially panic attacks, so try to focus on your breathing when anxiety strikes, long, deep breaths will help your body to recover from stress and will help to keep anxiety at bay.
Finally if anxiety or stress is affecting your everyday life then you should seek professional help from your GP or a counsellor. A good counsellor will listen without judging you and will enable a journey of self-discovery. Together you can help you get control of your life both physically and emotionally.