Anxiety keeps you alive. Does that surprise you? Well, anxiety is a feeling that most
of us don’t want to experience, but it may not be that bad after all. Anxiety is a
strong neurochemical survival mechanism that is inherent in any creature. Animals
that don’t pay attention to danger signals can’t survive for long.
The fact that you’re reading this piece is clear proof that you’re among the anxious
species in the world. Anxiety is a friend, it enables you to navigate this world,
protecting you against threats, and helping you to face challenges as they come.
Anxiety is attached to emotions, and in some cases, it can cause really strong
emotions. When you allow these emotions to control you, then anxiety will turn into
a foe. You’ll be caged because any time you face a tough situation, it’s your emotions
that will determine your course of action. This is because unpleasant thoughts and
threatening thoughts are processed in the same part of the brain that processes
physical threats.
Any threatening situation you face will cause a series of chemical reactions in your
body to protect you. Suppressing these reactions is counterproductive.
Can you stop anxiety?
Trying to stop anxiety is like trying to stop a massive dragster using bicycle hand
brakes. You can’t stop anxiety. As you keep trying to stop anxiety, you’ll just end up
expending large amounts of energy with no success.
What your consciousness does is to give you control like that of a person on the
wheel. Only humans are privileged with the ability to make a choice, other animals
can’t control their anxiety.
Anxiety is caused by elevated levels of adrenaline, cortisol, histamines, and other
chemicals that cause stress. So the best way to control it is to reduce the levels of
these chemicals (hormones).
Here are the steps you can take to control anxiety:
Relaxing
Try to relax. That may sound ridiculous when you are anxious, but it’s the best way
to reduce your stress levels. Relaxing can take different forms. Some choose to
watch movies or sit in front of computers, while others opt to use drugs and alcohol.
These do not constitute what true relaxation is all about. Good relaxation involves
taking practical steps to reduce your stress level. You can choose Yoga or practice
deep breathing to help relax your nerves.
Get enough exercise, nourishment, and sleep
When you are facing a tough situation, retiring to bed can make your body and mind
feel at peace. And after a restful sleep, you’ll realize that you’re in the right state of
mind to tackle the problem at hand.
Another way of fighting stress is to hit the gym or to get involved in any exercise you
feel comfortable with. Exercising ensures all your body cells get enough oxygen to
help them function optimally. You also need to eat well. Whole grains, lean proteins,
vegetables, and fruits have been found to be good in stress management.
Also, try to connect with others. Spending a good time with family members or
friends is good for your health and can reduce your anxiety levels.
Email me at info@soteldotherapy.com
Call for an appointment at 613-400-0128