Everyone will encounter anxious moments in their lifetime. It’s just a part of living. In many cases, it’s due to taking a step outside of your personal comfort zone. A presentation in front of peers or waiting for test results are just two examples. Having anxious moments is perfectly normal. Then there’s the good kind with rewards for your efforts like passing a final exam or getting a promotion. It’s when you waste many hours each day worrying about things, many of which are out of your control, that you may have an anxiety disorder.
Defining Anxiety
Anxiousness can cause your heart to race, alter your breathing and your palms and your body to sweat profusely leaving you to ponder what to do about it. You don’t want to add to your worries thinking about people seeing you sweat. There’s the age-old debate on antiperspirant vs deodorant. Which might work for you? And, what other products are out there? Stress can also cause a panic attack or cause you to withdraw from the world. These are just some of the symptoms that people who live with severe anxiety deal with on a daily basis. There are three common Anxiety Disorders: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), and Post-Traumatic Disorder (PTSD). The first one, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, is where the person worries endlessly that something will go wrong. If they have a happy moment they wait for the literal bottom to fall out and take their joyous time away. The second, Social Anxiety Disorder, the person has an actual fear of going out into public. If while out someone laughs or points fingers, they feel it’s because of them. The third, Post-Traumatic Disorder, is most common among men and women in the military who see troubling things during their active duty. However, it can also happen to anyone who experiences a traumatic, life-altering event.
Dealing with Anxiety
If you live with anxiety often or even daily, it’s robbing you of a happy life. Thankfully, you don’t have to accept this as how life is for you. There are things you can do to get relief. Therapy is a wonderful way to get things off your mind without disclosing these emotions to family and friends. The therapist is there to listen, something many other people simply can’t do. Getting things off your chest allows you to move on. The more you open up the less you keep inside and the better you feel. There are also other natural remedies such as massage therapy or herbal supplements you can try to relieve the stress that can bring on anxiety.
Find an Interest
People who live with an anxiety disorder need a way to stop the worrying and thoughts that rule the day. Finding things that interest you and keeping busy are positive additional ways to keep your mind occupied. Try your hand at writing, woodworking, sewing or painting. If you are active and can’t sit still sign up for a high-energy aerobics class or try something new like sailing or skiing. The point is to keep you busy with a new interest to help you avoid the negative thoughts.
Learn to Know the Signs of a Pending Attack
Half the battle is recognizing the warning signs that an imminent anxiety attack is coming. Once you figure this out you can then use tried and trusted techniques to get fast relief. Take deep breaths with slow exhales, take a five-minute meditation break or watch something funny. Getting in touch with your inner self will create an absolute calm instantly.
Living with an anxiety disorder doesn’t have to consume you. There are many ways to control your thoughts through having a close circle of good people around, discovering new hobbies, exercise, meditation, and therapy. Sometimes in life, you need to be just a little selfish and take care of you first so that you can be the best you possible.
