Reality of Anxiety

Anxiety thrives in a state of fear. It can be a powerful motivator or a debilitating emotion to endure, with very little warning of which one it may be. Anxiety can lead us to feeling out of control with our own life at times so we try to control the small things, we isolate from loved ones, ruminate in our own thought patterns, or even jump on this endless loop of comparison to others. 

Anxiety comes in many forms and it is important to be aware of what your triggers or warning signs are so that you are best prepared to cope with your anxious symptoms. For example, if you typically worry about your health or the health of your family to the point you experience panic attacks, it is beneficial for you to learn coping skills that minimize the weight of those worries. Or in another case of someone who experiences intense discomfort and the inability to focus on anything else if their blanket is not folded the “right” way, it is important to learn techniques to sit with difficult emotions to regain control over those obsessive thought patterns.

I often reframe anxiety as being a superpower for folks (myself included), understanding that it does not have to be a shameful diagnosis or something misrepresented on social media. Anxiety impacts your brain and body functioning in the sense that one mental trigger can lead to the paralyzing physical feeling that you are dying; it may feel like your heart is pounding out of your chest, you can’t get a deep breath, intense dizziness, uncontrollable shaking, and more.

There are many diagnoses out there that breakdown the specifics of what you may be feeling, but a diagnosis does not define you. Anxiety does not define you. You do not have to continue carrying the weight of being an “anxious person” and missing out on social events or staying up late because your mind won’t shut off. 

I speak from a place of experience and years of training to better understand how the anxious brain works. I believe that everyone can heal from anxiety and gain more control over their lives. This does not mean that the anxiety vanishes, but rather you learn how to live a meaningful life with anxious thoughts. 

I think the best way to approach the feeling of anxiety is to face it head on (which is what our anxious thoughts are telling us not to do). We need to understand and gain awareness of how our thoughts are forming, what parts we feel fused with, and focus on sitting with those uncomfortable physical sensations. Then, build a foundation for self-acceptance and gratitude to stay focused on the present moment and release the fear that others are judging us for our anxious tendencies.

When we struggle with anxiety, we can become our own worst critic and limit ourselves so much in life. We all deserve to feel free from the chains of panic or social anxiety, rewire our brains to no longer obsess over the small things, and seek out adventures that we have been missing out on.

Please contact me today if you want to better understand your anxiety and regain confidence in yourself!