We all feel anxious from time to time. It’s a common emotion, and it’s normal to experience some anxiety when you’re facing challenging life events. However, if your anxiety becomes so severe that it prevents you from carrying out daily activities or causes problems in your relationships with other people, then it may be worth seeking professional help.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness and unease. It’s a normal reaction to stressful situations. But if your anxiety gets too intense or lasts for too long, it can cause problems in your life by making it difficult for you to do things like go to work or see friends.
When we’re anxious, our bodies release adrenaline into our bloodstream which causes us to feel physically tense and agitated. We may also notice rapid heartbeat (palpitations), shortness of breath or difficulty swallowing – all signs that your body is preparing itself for action by increasing blood flow throughout the body so that you have more energy available if needed.
Once this initial surge passes through our system after an event has passed (like a stressful meeting at work), most people will soon return back down into their normal state again. For those with an anxiety disorder symptoms persist and may include feeling irritable, racing heart, increased sweating, stomach distress, sleep problems, accelerated breathing and irrational fears.
It’s normal to feel anxious at some points throughout life – even those who don’t have an anxiety disorder do experience mild episodes of anxiety from time to time. However, if these feelings are strong enough or happen too often then they may indicate that someone has an anxiety disorder such as Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), or panic disorder.
Why Does Anxiety Happen?
Anxiety is a natural response to stress, and it can motivate you to do something about your situation. If you’re feeling anxious because of work-related stress or an upcoming exam, persistent worry and ruminating thoughts can be a trigger.
Anxiety can also be a sign that something else is going on in your life which may need addressing. Anxiety can occur as part of depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for example; if this applies to you then it might be worth seeking professional help from an Adelaide psychologist who understands how these disorders affect people differently depending on their unique circumstances.
How To Manage Anxiety
If you’re experiencing anxiety, here are a few practical things that you can do that may be helpful:
- Exercise regularly. Exercise is an excellent way of reducing stress and anxiety levels by improving blood flow, reducing cortisol (the hormone released when under stress) and boosting endorphins which make us feel happier overall. Try taking up some type of physical activity such as running or swimming; just be sure not to overdo it so that fatigue doesn’t set in, and always exercise within your health and tolerance limits.
- Try practicing mindfulness or meditation. Mindfulness is a form of mental training that focuses on the present moment and helps us to become more aware of our thoughts and feelings. Focus on your breathing and simply being aware of it. It has been shown to be particularly useful in managing anxiety as it allows us to step back from our worries, rather than focusing on them.
- Learn a new skill (such as playing an instrument), going for walks in nature or even reading a book.
Anxiety is a serious condition that can affect anyone. In Australia alone, 3.3 million people or 17% of the population have an anxiety disorder. If you are struggling to cope with anxiety, reach out to Adelaide Psychology for professional help by a psychologist that can evaluate your situation and offer therapeutic guidance.
