I wanted to try something a little bit differently for this article. I wanted to use this blog as a platform to raise awareness of anxiety and mental illness so that you know how to help.
A few months ago, I had my very first appointment with one of the naturopathic doctors at the clinic where I practice. I wanted to learn more about it, so I figured I'd go in just to get a feel for what they do so I can send some referrals to them when it is needed. We discussed my health history in detail, and she asked me quite a few hard hitting questions about myself. Some that had never really been answered. After a few more assessments, she pulled out her book and asked "Ok, do these characters describe your personality?". It was so surreal that after every single statement she made defined my characteristics perfectly. We were both fascinated at these results! She gave me a remedy to place under my tongue to dissolve and we discussed more about my health. She told me at the end that she suspects that I have anxiety (amongst other things) which was causing most of my symptoms. We reviewed a treatment plan and I left. Right after I left, I took a moment to reflect on what I had just learned. It was a truly powerful moment for me as I took off on a new journey of self discovery.
So, now that you know why I have chosen this topic, what exactly is anxiety?
Anxiety is a general sense of fear and worry. There may or may not be a trigger that causes an anxiety attack to come on as it varies from each person that is affected with it. People with anxiety usually startle easily, and often experience mental fatigue and headaches as a result of the fear. Panic attacks are a severe form of anxiety and are much more intense when triggered. Post-Trumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is similar, although it differs as it is triggered from a traumatic event that the person has experienced. Symptoms of all three can include;
Heart Palpitations
Trouble Breathing/Hyperventilation
Overheating
Nausea
Muscular Tension (Headaches, Pain, Spasms)
Insomnia
Symptoms of a Heart Attack or Stroke
Stressors, if not dealt with, can manifest even more symptoms. If left unattended, the body will adapt to the stress and instead of fighting off diseases it focuses on dealing with the fight/flight response, keeping those feelings of anxiety present. Over time, this disrupts this immune system making the body susceptible to disease.
What Can You Do To Help Anxiety?
I just started this journey of self discovery and I have done a lot of research on what can be done to cope with anxiety. I hope that this article will outline something that may help you in the same way that it helped me.
When faced with stress, you are given two options: 1) Actively Engage and deal with the situation, or 2) Passively Accepting the situation (or letting it go). Personally, I usually opt for the first option as I like being able to feel good about moving on. However, there are often times when dealing with the situation right away is not appropriate. This is where I have been struggling. But I have found some ways that can help me cope.
Get A Massage - allowing the body to relax, even for a short length of time can help clear your mind and allow your body to function properly. This can also provide clarity when dealing with a stressful situation since your body isn't focusing on holding tension or forcing you to breathe. Now you are better prepared to deal with the situation at hand. But you already knew that...
Meditate - When under stress, the breathing becomes shallow, and as a result the body demands more oxygen. This causes you to hyperventilate. By taking time to focus on taking slow deep breaths, and clearing your mind, you stress and anxiety levels will drop significantly, much like they would after a massage!
Journal - I have done some research on this, and journaling as on a lot of lists on how to cope with anxiety. From personal experience, journaling has helped clarify my thoughts so I know how to express them to the situations. It has also helped get my mind off of things that are out of my control so that I can let go of that anxiety and move on. It is a very powerful tool!
Get Help - when things get too overwhelming, it's time to ask for help. You don't have to do it alone. Contact the Ottawa and Area Distress Centre (http://www.dcottawa.on.ca/english/) or search your local distress centre. They are available 24/7.
Mental health needs to be part of your regular health routine. I hope this article shed some light on this issue and that it provided you with some options should you find yourself becoming anxious.
Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you have a great day!
References:
Rattray, F., & Ludwig, L. (2005). Clinical Massage Therapy: Understanding, Assessing And Treating Over 70 Conditions (11th ed.). Elora, ON: Talus Incorporated p. 163-166
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