"Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow." - Swedish Proverb
Definition: Anxiety is defined as fear or concern over what might happen; a state of mind where the focus is potential danger; an uneasiness about what could occur.
Types of Anxiety:
SITUATIONAL ANXIETY: A personal concern about something in the environment. This can be an upcoming event, concern about a loved one, or dreading something in the future.
DEVELOPED ANXIETY: This person has been told or shown that the world is a very scary place, usually by a parent growing up. One can have "caught" anxiety from someone else much the way one catches a cold. Being in a home where fear and worry reign on a daily basis, one becomes conditioned to see fear and danger in every situation.
BIOLOGICALLY BASED ANXIETY: Some people are "set up" or hard wired to have anxiety no matter what the situation. These folks have an inherited gene which makes them anxious regardless of their situation. Do you have a worrier mom, an irritable dad (irritability can be a symptom of anxiety), and alcoholic grandparent (some older Americans dealt with worry by calming themselves with alcohol). If it is truly an inherited gene, medication will make a big difference by correcting this chemical imbalance in the brain.
So how does one manage or cope with anxiety?
There are many ways to cope with worry and a multitude of possible solutions. Some of the most popular ones are:
Relaxation techniques: Find a few exercises which work for you individually. Taking deep breaths is the most basic. Remembering back to a relaxing time in your life and recalling details will put you back into the same positive feelings. If you're thinking, "I don't have time to do relaxation exercises," you may have just discovered something important.
Good self care: Getting enough sleep, having a healthy diet and especially exercising regularly all go a long way to helping to calming your anxiety.
Enough leisure: Are you having some FUN in your life? Are you so scheduled that you don't have time each day to enjoy the activities you used to? A game of tennis or golf, a walk in the park or a relaxing TV show can help you unwind and find some serenity in your stressful life.
Take time to distinguish URGENT versus IMPORTANT: Ask yourself 'what is most important?' 'What is urgent versus truly important?' Will the things you're spending all your time on be the things you'll look back on and see as important? Are they just grabbing and wasting your time?
Work on your anxiety slowly by introducing small but regular steps into your busy life. It will show great benefits.
An old Chinese Proverb says: "If your problem has a solution, then why worry about it? If your problem does not have a solution, then why worry about it?"
If you would like to discuss anxiety with a professional, Perspectives can help you. Many of our therapists specialize in the
treatment of anxiety and worry.
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