What we notice
There are a myriad of ways how anxiety affects our daily lives. Do you ever feel overwhelmed and struggle to understand why? Do you find yourself experiencing a racing heart or trembling when something happens? Sometimes, we miss out on important moments in our lives because we’re dealing with anxiety.
So what exactly is anxiety? It’s a feeling of unease and worry that’s often accompanied by physical symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat, trembling, and nausea. These bodily reactions occur when our body responds to a situation or a traumatic event in our lives.
These situations can trigger negative thoughts that make us question ourselves and the world around us. We might wonder if we fit in, if people like us, or if something bad will happen tomorrow. We might feel like we’re not good enough and are destined to fail. All of these thoughts can contribute to the overwhelming feeling of anxiety.
If you’re experiencing anxiety, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. Many people struggle with anxiety at some point in their lives. There are strategies and treatments that can help you manage your anxiety and improve your quality of life.
Don’t Avoid Anxiety!!
Anxiety can cause us to avoid certain situations as a way of protecting ourselves from feeling anxious. However, avoiding these situations can prevent us from living our best lives and achieving our goals.
For example, we often see young children who refuse to go to school and complain of stomachaches. Behind the scenes, the child may be feeling anxious about something in the school environment or may not want to leave their caregiver. This is just one example of how anxiety can affect our lives.
It’s important to recognize when anxiety is causing us to avoid things that are important to us. While avoiding anxiety-provoking situations can provide temporary relief, it can also reinforce our anxiety in the long run. Instead, we can work on developing coping skills and strategies to manage our anxiety and face these situations. With the right support, we can learn to navigate anxiety and live our lives to the fullest.
Anxious thought that are not helpful.
Anxiety can feel like a bully, constantly bombarding our brains with negative thoughts that are unhelpful and untrue. When we experience racing thoughts, we may find ourselves believing things like “I’m not good enough” or “Something bad is going to happen.” These thoughts can make us feel even more anxious and hold us back from living our best lives.
One way to combat the anxiety bully is to catch ourselves in the midst of negative thought cycles and ask whether these thoughts are true and healthy. Instead of believing these negative thoughts, we can use positive self-talk or affirmations as reminders of our worth and capabilities. Statements like “I am safe,” “I am kind,” and “I am worth it” can help us challenge the negative thoughts and reframe them in a more positive light.
Remember, if you struggle with anxiety, you’re not alone. Many people experience anxiety and it’s okay to seek support from loved ones or mental health professionals. With the right tools and mindset, we can learn to manage anxiety and live productive, fulfilling lives.
Written by Maral Malekian LMFT
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