Anxiety for Beginners
BY : Courtney McInturff, LPC-MHSP (temp.), NCC
If you looked it up in the dictionary, you will find that anxiety is defined as a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.
I’m sure anyone reading this blog post can agree they have experienced the definition above!
In my opinion, anxiety becomes scarier and more pervasive in our lives when we keep it to ourselves. I think the most important thing we can do when we feel anxious is to let it out. When we keep it inside, it becomes a bigger and scarier monster than it is.
Three of the biggest components to treating and dealing with anxiety are: Awareness, Acceptance, and Self-Care.
1. Awareness
It is crucial to understand that not only does anxiety affect us emotionally, but also physically and mentally. Physical symptoms of anxiety might include nausea, dizziness, headaches, stomach aches, and tightness of the chest. Anxiety affects us psychologically when negative thoughts take over more rational thoughts. Becoming aware of those messages that play on repeat in your mind will enable you to reframe irrational/negative thoughts into more rational/positive ones. Emotions are the tip of the iceberg with anxiety. They are what comes out on the surface when you feel you can’t handle the pressure that has boiled under the surface for so long.
2. Acceptance
Often when people recognize anxiety in their lives, they tend to ignore or deny it. This only works for so long before it begins to rear its ugly head. I realize it’s easier said than done, but the best thing to do with our anxiety is to accept it. It’s not ugly, it’s not uncommon, it’s doesn’t make us bad people! It is only when we chose to accept our anxiety that we can begin to truly deal with it.
3. Self-Care
Taking care of ourselves instead of berating ourselves for feeling anxious is SO important! Instead of beating yourself up, be kind to your mind, body, and soul. What is something that brings you joy? Going on a walk in nature? Spending an hour reading a book? Listening to your favorite artist? Getting your favorite beverage at a local coffee shop? When you’re tempted to punish yourself, please don’t and do one of these things instead!
The important thing to remember is that anxiety is not experienced in the same way from person to person. If you think or know that you are experiencing anxiety, please reach out to a professional to help you process through your anxiety and to assist you on your journey with anxiety.
Courtney is currently accepting new clients and is gifted at working with people who struggle with anxiety.
Contact Courtney@RootedCounselingCenter.com to schedule a session today.