Helpful Strategies with the Cycle of Worry and Anxiety

Worry is negative thinking which occurs when we face an anticipated or real threat. Worry is the thinking part when the heart begins racing, breathing becomes shallow and palms become sweaty.

Social anxiety can be extremely painful. Sometimes others see it as just shyness or you may think you are an introvert. However, social anxiety can go far beyond that and effect your life in numerous ways that are not to your advantage.

Got Anxiety? Emotions about Covid19?

Overwhelmed by the coronavirus? But of course, we all are.

Overwhelmed because it is out of our control. Our brains are working overtime to take in and process new information every day. Every day it changes, which results in a constant avalanche of information that inundates us.

Most people have experienced some type of anxiety. That’s pretty normal. For example, you may have felt anxious before you had to give a speech or when you were on a first date. These are normal forms of anxiety that most folks experience and it passes quickly. However, maybe for you, anxiety isn’t just an occasional issue. Nor does it pass quickly. Quite the opposite, it's a problem that regularly interferes with many areas of your life. Untreated anxiety like this does not just go away on its own. In fact, chances are that it will get worse over time. Why and how does that happen?

The holidays are supposed to be a happy, family time. Ironically, the holidays are also one of the most stressful times of the year—precisely because it’s family time. It’s a family tradition to all get together at Grandma’s or Uncle Bill’s even though that means you may have to travel in the dead of winter. The gift buying can be even more difficult than the travel as you try to squeeze it all out of  your budget. Once you make there, you may have to patiently listen to Aunt Alma aches and pains and her many doctor visits or Cousin Jimmy trying to convince you of his importance at his work. Additionally politics or current world affairs are topics no one can agree on, so steer clear of that. No wonder you get stressed just thinking about it.

Some people do not enjoy time with other people. In fact, the thought of it is enough to make their eyes glaze over and the blood pound in their ears. Can you relate? What do you feel when you think about the following:

Anxiety. Even the word itself conjures up feelings of apprehension. There were times in your life when it had no meaning at all and no impact on you. Or maybe you always had anxiety but just at such low levels that it had no power over you and seemed manageable.