the irony of anxiety

Folks who contend with anxiety, a persistent worry, expect some kind of risk or grave outcome. This is anticipated fear which creates an abundance of unsettling feelings. But here’s the irony: those things folks usually worry about are generally based on faulty perceptions; things that are  beyond your control; things that become distorted from reality based on a negative self-perception. A state of anxiety actually creates a worrisome if not paralyzing condition that consumes one’s energy and emotions, yet the anticipated dreaded outcome usually turns out ok.  It is a cruel paradox: the worry expends a lot of “wasted” energy regarding the feared outcome, yet it feels very real. Imagine if we could just convince or assure ourselves that these fears are not to be feared? If only we worked that way. I believe anxiety can be worked on by developing one’s ego. However, that can take a while. In the meantime, folks who experience this intense state of emotional being, or consistent physical effects in their body, can implement coping tools to ease the distress as its occurring and to experience feeling grounded when it becomes overwhelming:

• There are a host of online relaxation techniques. These range from guided imagery to basic yoga moves and muscle relaxation. Once you do them once or twice you will no longer need guidance.
• Deep breathing exercises - Take a breath then exhale on the count of 4;  Hold your breath for 4 seconds; Inhale to the count of 4; Hold your breath for 4 seconds. Do this a few times or until you feel calmer.
• Exercise, or simply be active - this can even mean short or long walks.
• Practice self-talk - what evidence do you have that something awful is going to happen?
• Anxiety exercise:  look around you and  identify 3 objects and 3 sounds, then move 3 body parts
• Consider medication - sometimes we may need assistance.

These suggestions are a complement to therapy because as I suggested, there is usually an explanation as to why anxiety is being experienced, and it’s often an underlying trauma that one may be aware of, or not. These coping tools may be very helpful in addressing the symptoms of anxiety, but it’s therapy that can help you get to its cause.

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