This week is Mental Health Awareness week. This year the focus is on ANXIETY, something that affects all of us from time to time.

 

We all get those feelings of stress in our everyday lives. Exam stress, the anxiety felt before an important meeting or interview, or even the fear of the unknown. Whatever it may be, anxiety affects us all in various degrees.

 

For some people, dealing with anxiety can be overwhelming. Anxiety can manifest itself as feelings of nervousness, sweaty palms, a lack of concentration and feeling worried. At its most severe, anxiety can result in panic attacks and feeling completely out of control.

Not all forms of anxiety are bad. Short term anxiety can actually make you more alert and aware. For example, feeling nervous before an important performance can enhance your performance. The nerves heighten your senses, giving you a burst of energy so you can perform to the highest of your ability.

 

When people are overwhelmed by anxiety, the body tries to deal with this by enlisting the “fight or flight” response.

 

“Fight or flight” is triggered by adrenaline that surges through the body when you enter a stressful situation. It is an instinctive response dating back to prehistoric times when cave men were threatened by attacks from animals, other cavemen, fires or other physically dangerous things.

 

The “fight or flight” response is enlisted as a way of protecting your body in what it perceives to be a threatening situation by preparing to either stay and fight off or run away from the threat. The heart beats faster, more blood is sent to muscles, the mouth feels dry and palms sweaty.

 

As a response to an attack from a wild animal, the fight or flight response is perfect. However, when your body reacts this way before an exam or before boarding public transport, the “fight or flight” response can make you feel extremely uncomfortable, and leave you less prepared to face the exam.

 

Panic attacks are an extreme expression of the fight or flight response.

 

During a panic attack, people experience their heart pounding, feeling dizzy and blurred vision, feeling nausea and unable to move of their body turning to jelly.  The feelings take over. People often describe feeling like they are having a heart attack, making the experience extremely scary for any one that has to endure a panic attack.

 

A panic attack lasts anything between 5-20 minutes.  Although, some people have repeated panic attacks therefore the panic attack can feel like it’s lasting for much longer.

 

So, whilst anxiety is something we all have to deal with from time to time, anxiety can become a very distressful part of some people’s lives. It can make it difficult to get on with daily life. People who suffer from anxiety often find it difficult to keep a job or develop and maintain relationships. Experiencing regular panic attacks can make life disruptive and exacerbate anxiety symptoms. However, there are simple techniques you can try that help prevent anxiety and help you deal with feelings of anxiety.

–         Drinking a lot of caffeine or sugar can make you feel more anxious and on edge. Cutting down on both caffeine and sugar can help prevent these feelings.

 

–         Being exhausted and run down can make you more prone to getting anxious. Getting a good rest, and enough sleep at night will help your mind and body relax, leaving you less likely to feel stressed and anxious.

 

–         Having someone to talk to can help take can help relieve the burden of stresses, leaving you feeling less anxious about some things. If you feel like you do not have anyone to talk to confidential services like Talking Therapy may be able to give you the sympathetic ear you need.

 

–         Many people think the easiest way to deal with anxiety is using the method of avoidance. It may be the easiest in the short run, but as a long term strategy it can ruin your life. Facing your fears, head on, is the best way to overcome them. And the feeling of overcoming a fear is rewarding like no other.

 

–         When you feel yourself getting uncomfortable and overwhelmed in a situation that is making you anxious, it can feel like there is no way out. However, there are some very effect breathing techniques that can divert your attention away from feelings of anxiety. Taking a step back and removing yourself from the stressful situation can give yourself a chance to calm down and keeps you in control of your feelings without getting overwhelmed.

 

–         Practicing yoga or a similar exercise which combines gentle exercise and meditation will help build confidence and make dealing with stressful situations more manageable. Being mindful and aware of your mind and body are key to dealing anxiety.

 

If you find it difficult to deal with anxiety, we hope this article has helped you. Share this post to raise awareness and help others dealing anxiety.

 

To find out more about Mental Health Awareness Week click here.