Anxiety, The Silent Killer

Our anxiety does not come from thinking about the future,but from wanting to control it~Kahlil Gibran. This season of COVID-19 has brought down my false sense of security.

I am not really in control of anything except myself, probably these words but even the next minute do I really have control? For some of us the reality of this pandemic has triggered anxiety.

What is anxiety?

This is your body’s natural response to stress. It’s a feeling of dread, apprehension, fear, doom about what is to come. 

Fear and anxiety.

Anxiety is fear of a future that may never take place. It involves a never ending treadmill of irrational thoughts. While it’s an emotional and physical reaction to a present known threat, it’s needless and imaginary. Anxiety brings on paralysis, an exaggeration of what ifs while fear is about staying alive, feeding your family, the harsh economic impact of COVID-19 among other things.

How does it feel to have anxiety?

Anxiety looks different on everyone and sometimes it’s difficult to tell if someone has anxiety. Here is how I feel when I am having anxiety.

A tightening in my chest, difficulty breathing. An unusual kind of coldness. Feeling weak. A sense of helplessness, insomnia, restlessness, emotionally unavailable, short tempered, a disconnect from the rest of the world,  I go for days without eating.

What triggers my anxiety?

To be honest, I am still trying to figure out all my triggers but it’s dependent on the environment I am in and the circumstances.  From simple things like not finding my socks to work . Feeling like I am not doing enough, I am not enough. Negative energy around me.

How do I manage my anxiety?

• journaling- it helps clear my thoughts and helps me figure out the source of my anxiety.

• meditation- I use a meditation app that helps me with breathing which helps me calm down my nerves.

• Reading- it’s a good way to take my mind away from the negative self sabotage thoughts.

• Learn to recognize the cycle of anxiety and try as much as I can to avoid things and people that trigger my anxiety.

Anxiety is nothing to be ashamed of. It’s okay to get help. This can be talking to a friend or seeing a specialist. Self awareness and mindfulness has been helpful in managing my anxiety. If you feel anxious acknowledge 

                    • 5 things you see

                   • 4 things you hear

                   • 3 things you feel 

                   • 2 things you smell 

                   • 1 thing you taste

Sit with your anxiety. Acknowledge it. Explore it. Befriend it. Handle it. 

I see my anxiety as either a small matchstick flame or a raging burning bush. I can either pour water or gasoline on it or recognize its presence and let it burn out. Just like fire, my anxiety eventually burns out if I let it sit for a while. 

I promise you nothing is as chaotic as it seems. Nothing is worth diminishing your health. Nothing is worth poisoning yourself into stress, fear and anxiety ~ Steve Maraboli.