Happy Friday! Today I want to talk about something that I deal with on a daily basis which is anxiety and although some days are better than others I’m always trying to find positive and healthy ways to cope with anxiety. If you want to learn how to deal with anxiety then keep reading for all the deets.
#cklife: how to deal with anxiety
Worry is a normal part of life, and can even be helpful in some instances. We often worry about things that are present in our lives, such as: finances, work, and family, and this worry has the potential to help us make good decisions in these areas. It is possible, however for worry to become more confronting, emotionally, than these everyday worries. If you are experiencing worries that are excessive, uncontrollable, or irrational and have been experiencing these worries for an extended period of time, you may be suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder or GAD. If you feel that your worrying is out of your control, and that you need some help understanding and dealing with it, this information may be helpful.
What is anxiety?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is the most common and is characterized by persistent, excessive worrying about everyday events and activities which the person finds difficult to control.
While most people worry about everyday things such as family, work pressures, health, or money, worrying about these kind of things does not typically get in the way of everyday functioning. However people with GAD find that their worry is excessive, difficult to control and pervasive. GAD often results in occupational, social, and physical impairment, as well as emotional distress.
What are the signs of anxiety?
- Excessive worrying that lasts for months.
- Feeling restless, keyed up, or on edge.
- Being easily tired.
- Having difficulty concentrating or having your mind go blank.
- Being irritable.
- Having tense or sore muscles.
- Having difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or having restless, unsatisfying sleep.
- Over planning.
- Excessive list making.
- Seeking reassurance from others.
What causes anxiety?
Being anxious, tense, fearful when threatened is normal and helpful, as the anxiety increases the ability to flee or flight the threat. People who inherit or develop a nervous temperament see the ordinary world as threatening and if they do not learn to cope, will react to minor threats as if they are major. Hence the persistent and pervasive worrying.
How to deal with anxiety?
Getting better means gaining control over worry.
- Take responsibility for change and control over their thoughts, feelings and behavior.
- Actively identifying and challenging worrying thoughts.
- Relaxation training to control physical tension.
Do you deal with anxiety? What tips do have for coping with anxiety? Let me know in the comments.