• What is anxiety?
  • How does it feel?
  • What causes anxiety?
  • How do I deal with anxiety?

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a mental health challenge characterized by feelings of overwhelm, despair and fear. These feelings are strong enough to interfere with our daily activities and relationships. Chronic anxiety affects our mental, emotional and physical health.

How does it feel?

Anxious thoughts release the stress hormones of adrenaline and cortisol into our body. Over anxious thinking causes unwanted mental, emotional and physical changes in us.

Mental symptoms can include: Difficulty concentrating or excessive fearful thoughts.

Emotional symptoms can include: Feelings of despair, fear, or overwhelmed.

Physical symptoms can include: Sensations of tightness, or trembling.

What causes anxiety?

Causes of anxiety, can be unmanaged stress or trauma of the past or the present.

Past, it can include, un-process childhood experiences at home or at school.

Present, it can also result from changes to health, security and relationships.

How do I deal with anxiety?

  1. Mindfulness Training (online). Anxiety is made in the mind. We can gently practice reducing our anxiety in 3-steps.
    1. Grounding for safety
    2. Opening to happier thoughts
    3. Resting to reduce future anxiety
  2. Stay active. Regular exercise is good for your physical and emotional health.
  3. Avoid alcohol and addictive drugs.
  4. Sleep, eat & work well.
  5. Practice breathing.

Additional Anxiety Information: Link – The Mayo Clinic