Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress. It is a feeling of fear or dread about what is to come from any imagined event. Examples: The first day of school, a job interview, giving a speech, meeting a new person, etc. It may be a big event or a buildup of smaller stressful life situations that triggers excessive anxiety; e.g.: a loved one’s long illness and then death, loss of a job and continued worry about how to pay the bills. People with certain personality types are more prone to anxiety disorders or there may be other mental disorders.
Symptoms of anxiety may include: racing thoughts, constant over-thinking, difficulty concentrating, feelings of dread or panic, sleep problems, changes in appetite, feeling irritable.
Some ways to cope with feeling anxious/stressed: take a time out, eat health, get nurturing sleep, exercise, limit alcohol and caffeine, take deep breaths (practice this one daily).
We know that thoughts lead to feeling that lead to outward behaviors. Therefore, learn to change your thinking to be more problem solving as you focus on the facts of the situation and how to solve the issue at hand vs rehearsing old thoughts that create the panicky feeling. Focus on the “reality of now” and stay out of the past.
Remember: Anxiety/stress is an emotional response (feeling) based on a mental interpretation (thought) of an event.
Learn Cognitive Behavioral Skills to:
Communicate Effectively
Problem Solve
Team Play/Work