- Excessive worry (excessive meaning it has been present for more days than not for at least 6 months)
- The worry is difficult for the individual to control
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Being easily fatigued
- Trouble concentrating
- Inability to stay calm or still; restlessness
- Numbing of hands and feet
- Shortness of breath
- Increased heart rate and palpitations
- Nausea
- Tense muscles
- Dizziness
What Causes Anxiety?
Similar to most mental health, anxiety can stem from a combination of things. Environmental stress such as a recent move, change in relationships or family dynamics, new or intimidating projects at work or financial stresses can sometimes lead to increased feelings of anxiety. Changes in your brain or even genetics can impact how you control and cope with fear and other emotions. Your very chemical and biological makeup may make you more prone to anxious feelings and how you instinctually are predisposed to react to new or ongoing stressors.
How can I Help Myself or Someone I Love Who May Have Anxiety?
Everyone feels anxious at some point, but how everyone experiences and copes with that anxiety is unique. The difference between limited situational anxiety that is part of everyday life, and other anxiety lies in how long someone is feeling worried, how persistent the worried thoughts and feelings are, and the impact that such feelings have on his or her ability to function in everyday life.
Here are some tools you can use starting today to better manage anxiety in your life:
- Cut down on caffeine! Caffeine (found in coffee, tea, cola and energy drinks) is a mood-altering drug that may make anxiety symptoms worse.
- Improve how you sleep by getting plenty of rest and incorporating a relaxing bedtime routine. Try going to bed and getting up at the same time. Avoid screen-time before sleep.
- Participate in aerobic exercise like riding a bike or jogging to help your body naturally release stress-reducing chemicals and improve your mood.
- Seek out professional mental and physical health professionals for support or encourage your loved one to do so, especially if feelings remain consistent over time (most days for 6 months) or impact day to day functioning
- Participate in some kind of therapy When our bodies need healing, it is totally normal to see a doctor or visit with a trainer. Our minds are just another unique part of our body that may need specialized exercises to perform at its best. To better understand anxiety and learn about tools you can use to cope with the anxiety, change thought patterns and recognize personal triggers, find a counselor or other trained professional who can assist you to build and strengthen your mental health toolkit.
Anxiety Impacts Relationships
Ongoing feelings of worry may impact more than just the sufferer. Partners, friendships, co-workers or parents/children may feel strain on their relationship when mental health is challenged. There is hope for individuals experiencing anxiety and those impacted by it. Become educated about mental health and make healthful decisions that that lie within your control. Last, consider professional assistance including making an appointment at Renew Relationship Counseling if anxious thinking is impacting your day to day functioning, preventing you from having the experiences or relationships you desire, or if the tools you once used are no longer serving you.
About The Author: Hayley Jensen holds a B.A. in Journalism and a Master’s Degree in University Administration and is a contributor to the Renew Relationship Counseling blog. Renew Relationship Counseling is a therapeutic clinic that specializes in relationship- focused services. For more information, visit www.RenewRealationshipCounseling.com
Sources:
- https://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety/
- https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/anxiety-disorders#2-7
- https://images.pearsonclinical.com/images/assets/basc-3/basc3resources/DSM5_DiagnosticCriteria_GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder.pdf
- Photo by Ernest Brillo on Unsplash
www.RenewRelationshipCounseling.com
This article is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition, nor to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical, mental health, or relational condition. Never disregard professional medical or mental health advice, or delay in seeking it,
because of this article.
© 2019 Renew Relationship Counseling, LLC. All Rights Reserved