Worrying is a normal part of life. You probably find yourself worrying about everyday things such as how you’re going to reach a work deadline, how you will get through homework with the kids when you are tired or how you are going pay the bills next month when finances are tight. These are concerns that plague everyone’s mind at one point or another. Some degree of stress or anxiety is not always a bad thing. Good stress keeps people motivated and can help you appropriately approach tasks or events that are considered important. However, over time you might find yourself excessively worrying, to the point that it impacts on your daily functioning. This worrying may cause you to overthink, bring about difficulties with sleep, cause irritability, restlessness and other physical reactions like headaches and nausea. You may even find yourself so anxious about being anxious that you feel trapped in a vicious cycle, unsure how to free yourself.
Many people get confused between stress and anxiety because of their overlapping similarities. Stress is often short-term and resolved once whatever causes the stress (e.g. work project) is gone. Unlike stress, anxiety generally continues even after the stressful event is over and keeps you trapped in that overwhelming tense feeling that inevitably negatively impacts various parts of your life.
It can be terrifying when feeling stuck, trying to find the courage to move forward. You may even doubt yourself before you start, determined that whatever step you take will be of no help. The hopelessness you feel can be crippling and seem impossible to overcome. Many people feel throwing themselves deeper into work or stressful obligations will make the anxiousness disappear. However, it often has the opposite effect. Therefore, easing the feeling of anxiety would be the top priority. This would eventually lead you to a space where you feel more emotionally capable to take a step in the direction you want to go when faced with overwhelming tasks without being swallowed by your anxiety.
There are many strategies used to aid in easing anxiety. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Therefore, it is best to consider what might best suit you and your personality. Some strategies may include exercise, psychotherapy, meditation, guided deep breathing techniques, engaging in hobbies or listening to calm and relaxing music that will put you in a calm state of mind.
Whatever strategy you may choose, it is important that you be gentle with yourself through this process, approaching and assessing your anxiety non-judgmentally, taking it one step at a time so as to reach a space where you can effectively manage your anxiety and move forward.