What Is Anxiety?

Have you ever felt like your heart was racing faster than a cheetah but you weren’t even moving? Or maybe your palms got so sweaty you couldn’t even grip a pen? If so, you might have experienced anxiety. Don’t worry, though – you’re not alone! Anxiety is very common, and understanding it can help us deal with it better.

So, What Exactly is Anxiety?

Anxiety is like an overactive alarm system in your brain. It’s supposed to warn you about danger, but sometimes it gets a little too eager and starts ringing when there’s no real threat. It’s like having a smoke detector that goes off every time you make toast!

Anxiety can make you feel worried, nervous, or scared about things that might happen. It’s your brain’s way of trying to protect you, but sometimes it goes a bit overboard.

How Does Anxiety Feel?

Anxiety can affect your body and mind in different ways:

1. Physical signs: Your heart might race, you might feel shaky or sweaty, your breathing might get labored, and your stomach might do somersaults or feel nauseous or clench.
2. Mental signs: You might have trouble concentrating, feel on edge, or have racing thoughts that just won’t slow down.
3. Emotional signs: You might feel scared, worried, or even a bit irritable.

Remember, everyone experiences anxiety differently. It’s like how some people love rollercoasters while others prefer to keep their feet firmly on the ground!

Why Do We Get Anxious?

Anxiety can pop up for many reasons:

• Big changes in life (like starting a new school or job)
• Stressful situations (like taking a test or relational confrontation)
• Worrying about the future
• Past experiences that were scary or upsetting
• Low self-esteem
• Difficulty setting boundaries
• Perfectionism

Sometimes, anxiety might show up for no clear reason at all. It’s like an uninvited guest that crashes your mental party!

Is Anxiety Always Bad?

Here’s a surprise: anxiety isn’t always the bad guy! In small doses, it can actually be helpful. It can:

• Keep you alert and focused
• Help you prepare for important events
• Motivate you to solve problems

It’s only when anxiety gets too big or happens too often that it becomes a problem.

When Should You Get Help?

If anxiety starts to interfere with your daily life – like making it hard to go to school or work, hang out with loved ones, or do things you enjoy – it might be time to talk to someone. 

Getting help doesn’t mean you’re weak or that there’s something wrong with you. It’s actually really brave to ask for help when you need it!

How Can You Manage Anxiety?

There are lots of ways to deal with anxiety. Here are a few tricks you can try:

1. Take deep breaths: Imagine you’re blowing up a big balloon in your belly, then slowly let the air out. You can even try making your exhales longer than your inhales.
2. Get moving: You might have heard this before, but exercise can help burn off anxious energy. Really! Exercise releases the cortisol and adrenaline hormones that are released in response to stress.
3. Talk it out: Share your worries with someone you trust. Sometimes just saying them out loud can make them feel smaller.
4. Challenge your thoughts: Ask yourself, “Is this worry really likely to happen?” Often, our anxious brains imagine the worst-case scenario.
5. Practice relaxation: Try things like yoga, meditation, observing and describing your physical surroundings, or even just petting a furry friend (if you’re not allergic, of course!). It’s important to get you focused on the here and now.
6. Get enough sleep: A tired brain is more likely to feel anxious. Try to stick to a regular sleep schedule.
7. Limit caffeine: Too much caffeine can make anxiety worse. Maybe swap that energy drink for a smoothie, tea, or other non-caffeinated beverage.
8. Give thanks: Don’t forget, anxiety is not your enemy. It’s actually trying to help you. Try thanking it so you don’t get caught up in hating this part of you, but do remind it that you are capable and in charge of decision making.

Remember, managing anxiety is like learning any new skill – it takes practice. Be patient with yourself!

You’re Not Alone!

Anxiety might make you feel alone sometimes, but remember – lots of people deal with it. Even some of your favorite celebrities and heroes probably get anxious sometimes!

The most important thing to remember is that having anxiety doesn’t define you. You’re still you – awesome, unique, and capable of amazing things. Anxiety is just a part of life that we all have to navigate sometimes.

So the next time anxiety pops up uninvited and unnecessarily, remember these tips and show it who’s boss. You’ve got this!

If you want to learn more about anxiety and anxiety treatment, check out our Anxiety Therapy Page.

If you’d like to get in touch with us, feel free to reach out.