We're going to get personal today. We're going to talk about anxiety, the common struggle that affects so many of us. The good news is that you're not alone, you can beat it and I'm going to tell you how to do it. But before we dive into all of that, let's talk about why this topic is so important. I know I sound like your mom but there are literally thousands of people watching right now, maybe tens of thousands, and they're all struggling with some form of anxiety. So much of the time, I feel like anxiety is a part of life that no one talks about and it's really not discussed in school or in the media. But it affects so many of us. There are studies that show over 80% of the population is affected by some form of anxiety and it can affect our ability to function or even our lives.
Here are the Top 3 Things People Wish They Were Actually Told About Anxiety:
We’ve all been there before. It’s easy to let anxiety get the better of us, but if you are feeling anxious, the first thing you should do is recognize that you are, in fact, anxious. Don’t just assume that your feelings are irrational and unfounded. Instead, think through why you’re feeling anxious. If you can understand why you feel anxious, you can decide whether you need to take action, or whether you just need to keep reminding yourself of your reasons why you aren’t going crazy.
Your instinct is to feel anxious about taking risks and stepping outside of the comfort zone. To overcome this instinct, it's helpful to understand what anxiety is, why it happens, and how to mitigate it. When you're anxious, your body goes into a fight or flight mode. Your heart races, your palms sweat, your muscles tense up. It's normal to feel some level of anxiety. If you've been in a similar situation before and felt anxious, you've likely experienced the same sensations.
Anxiety attacks can happen at any time and place. They are the result of an overwhelming fear, which can occur suddenly. However, these panic attacks usually happen after a life changing event, such as divorce, death, or a loss of a job. The experience of an anxiety attack usually lasts for less than ten minutes, and people can go through a series of these attacks without knowing what triggers them.
In conclusion, Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress. Stress can be physical or emotional. If you are experiencing anxiety, the last thing you want to hear is to “get a grip” or “stop worrying.” You want to hear that you are normal, that you are going through what millions of other people are going through, and that you are not alone. Here are 3 things that you are going to wish you had been told about anxiety when you were younger.