What makes you anxious?
Do the following statements describe how you feel at times?
“I’m constantly thinking: ‘What if . . . ?’ ‘What if we get in a car accident?’ ‘What if our plane goes down?’ I’m anxious about things that a more rational person wouldn’t worry so much about.”—Charles.
“I feel anxious all the time, as though I were a hamster on a wheel running around but never getting anywhere. I’m working myself to death but not really accomplishing anything!”—Anna.
“When people tell me that I’m fortunate that I’m still in school, I say to myself, ‘They have no idea how stressful school is!’”—Daniel.
“I’m like a pressure cooker. I’m always worried about the next thing that will happen or the next thing I need to do.”—Laura.
Fact of life:
We live in what difficult times. Because of that, anxiety can affect both young and old people.
Is anxiety always bad?
The answer is no. In fact, it is right for people to be anxious to please the ones they love.
Also, let’s face it, anxiety can be a powerful motivator. For example, you will be taking a test at school next week. Anxiety might compel you to study this week and that might help you get a better grade! Right?
A degree of anxiety can also alert you to danger. “You might feel anxious because you know that you’re taking a wrong course of action and you need to make changes for your conscience to be at rest.
Fact of life: Anxiety can work for you—as long as it moves you to the right kind of action.
But what if anxiety traps you in a maze of negative thinking?
Anxiety might make you feel as if you were trapped in a maze, but someone with a different perspective can help you find a way out
Example: Your mind races when you think about the different ways a stressful situation could turn out, you play the situation over and over in your mind to the point that it makes you very anxious.
A calm heart gives life to the body. On the other hand, anxiety can bring on a number of unpleasant physical symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, upset stomach, and heart palpitations.
What can you do if anxiety seems to be working against you rather than for you?
- Question the reasonableness of your anxiety. Being concerned about your responsibilities is one thing; being overly anxious is another. It reminds me of the saying, Anxiety is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere.Unless anxiety leads you toward a solution, it will only add to your problem—or become your problem.
- Take things one day at a time. Think it through. Will what you are anxious about matter tomorrow? in a month? in a year? in five years?Never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Each day has enough of its own troubles.It makes little sense to take on tomorrow’s problems—some of which may never even become a reality.
- Learn to live with what you cannot change. The best you can do is prepare for situations to the extent possible, but accept the fact that some situations are out of your control.The swift do not always win the race, . . . nor do those with knowledge always have success, because time and unexpected events overtake them all.Sometimes you cannot change your circumstances, but you can change the way you view them.
- Put your situation in perspective. You find that you have to focus on the big picture and not stress over the details. You have to choose your battles and channel your energy into taking care of priorities. So, make sure of the more important things.People who put their anxieties in perspective are less likely to be overwhelmed by them.
- Talk to someone. As much as you can, express yourself to someone you can trust. It can help you face the next day.Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.A parent or a friend might be able to give you practical suggestions on how to reduce your anxiety.
When anxiety is prolonged or excessive, it
might be good for you to get a medical checkup