I suspect if you’re reading this; you struggle with anxiety, or you know someone who does. Anxiety is at an all-time high these days, so if you’ve been feeling anxious then I want you to know you are FAR from being alone. And I want to assure you that you can regain control of how you think, feel, and behave.
So what is anxiety exactly?
The definition of anxiety I find most useful is: Anxiety is a feeling. It’s the uncomfortable and often paralyzing physical sensations you feel in your body. The physical feeling is like that of acute stress and can include muscle tension, a racing heart, shortness of breath.
So why do we feel anxiety?
Anxiety is a product of our innate survival system. Our survival system does two things:
- It protects us from real and present harm to our physical and/or emotional wellbeing.
- It protects us from future harm to our physical and/or emotional wellbeing.
When our survival system detects a real and present danger, we feel stressed.
When our survival system detects a future danger (a risk to our wellbeing), we feel anxiety.
Often, we can feel both stress and anxiety at the same time!
So what’s the purpose of anxiety?
Anxiety is a signal, an alarm, a message from our non-conscious mind and our body. The signal tells us to pay attention, and get ready, so we can successfully deal with a future danger should it materialize.
If we ignore the signal, our mind/body ramp up the intensity of the feeling. If we continue to ignore the signal, the feeling gets ramped up even more. That’s when anxiety can become very uncomfortable and can stop us from being able to carry out our daily activities as we would normally.
So what do I do to stop feeling anxiety?
Because anxiety is a product of your survival system, you can’t avoid experiencing it at some point. You can’t, and wouldn’t want to, switch off your survival system. However, what you can do is learn to:
- Avoid feeling unnecessary anxiety. If there is no real danger ahead, or the danger is insignificant, then you don’t need a loud alarm signal.
- Control the intensity of any anxiety you are feeling.
So where do I start?
Start by gaining an understanding of your survival system and how it produces the anxiety you feel. It’s said that once we understand something, we become less afraid of it. To help you gain an understanding I’ve written an article describing the part of our survival system that identifies and manages risks and produces our anxiety. Here’s the link: Creating good and bad anxiety
And then what?
Once you have a good understanding of the source of your anxiety, you’ll be ready to learn and employ some effective, practical tools and techniques to reduce your anxiety level and avoid unhelpful, unnecessary anxiety. Equipped with those tools and techniques, you’ll have the confidence and ability to control your anxiety. This greater control will give you a sense of freedom and wellbeing. And much more relaxed and happy life!
Is your anxiety at an all-time high?
If you are suffering with anxiety or stress and want rapid long-lasting relief, let’s have a conversation to explore how I can help you. To schedule your no obligation 15-to-30-minute conversation with me via ZOOM just lick HERE. Alternatively, you can call/text me on 021 056 8389.
~ Tony
I’m on a mission to help as many people as possible enjoy lives free of unnecessary stress and anxiety. If you’d like my help, or you know someone who would benefit, call/text me today on 021 056 8389 or email tony@tycoaching.nz
