Anxiety can affect anyone, but did you know it’s a much more common problem for women than it is for men?
This fact didn’t surprise me, because it’s congruent with my own experience from coaching people to overcome anxiety and stress. To date the ratio of women to men that have sought my help is approx. 80/20.
Keeping your life in balance isn’t easy for anyone, but research shows that anxiety is a much more common problem for women than it is for men. From the time a woman reaches puberty until about the age of 50, she’s twice as likely to have an anxiety disorder as a man. Plus anxiety disorders occur earlier in women than in men.
What triggers women to experience anxiety?
The reason for this gender difference is not fully known. It may be due in part to mental predisposition, the chemicals that make up a woman’s body, the myriad of physical changes that occur in a woman’s body, natural life events, cultural and social pressures.
Here are some of the triggers that my female anxious clients have identified:
- unmet emotional needs
- having to juggle multiple roles
- unrealistic pressure
- negative feelings about their body and physical attractiveness
- relationship concerns
- health concerns
- hormonal imbalances
- domestic responsibility overload
- fear of being judged
- lack of career opportunities/advancement
- lack of recognition for their work
- harassment and discrimination
- addiction to digital devices and social media
- poor nutrition
- lack of/poor quality sleep
- lack of exercise
The impact of anxiety
When anxiety strikes it can be stop us dead in our tracks and stop us from living life to the full, and achieving our full potential. And when it gets out of control – a diagnosed anxiety disorder – it can become as disabling as any chronic illness. It can feel like your life is spiralling out of control and you will never be in control again.
Many women operate in an ever-present state of low anxiety or worry (generalized anxiety) that may blossom into episodes of full-blown panic attacks, phobia or anxiety disorders during times of psychological stress or biological change — like menopause. These women have lived with anxiety for so long that they believe the experience is their normal state, and that everyone else must feel the same way too. They are often blind to how much the anxiety is interfering with their day to day enjoyment of life.
Perhaps you fall into this category?
You can overcome anxiety
Permanent anxiety relief is achieved by addressing the root causes of anxiety – worry, negative self-talk and misuse of the imagination. When you address the cause you stop the anxiety. When you deal only with the symptoms, the relief is only temporary.
The good news is you can free yourself from anxiety.
As a Fearless Life Coach, I help anxious women to change their minds so they can change their relationship with anxiety and feel safe, calm, confident, and in control.
I focus on helping you achieve rapid, permanent change and I equip you with skills to think differently about the challenges and curveballs life will throw at you so they you are capable of avoiding or limiting anxiety in future.
Just imagine how powerful you could feel if all that energy that is consumed by anxiety and fear were unleashed in a life-affirming, positive way!
So is it time to stop anxiety dictating who you are, or your way of life?
If you said ‘yes’ then why not give me a call to arrange a no obligation 20-30 minute discovery consultation. It could be the first step towards becoming a fearless woman. Call/text Tony on 021 056 8389.
Enjoy a safe, calm, week.
Tony
REMEMBER – “When you change your mind you change your life.”
Tony Yuile is on a mission to help people enjoy lives free of unnecessary stress and anxiety. If you’d like his help, or you know someone who would benefit, give Tony a confidential call/text today on 021 056 8389 or email tony@tycoaching.nz
