Understanding Anxiety

This little word holds a huge weight. A flutter in the thoughts, constant overthinking, blurry plans, fake smiles, fearful situations, endless doubts and so many “what if’s”. If you have felt it, remember you are not alone. Anxiety affects millions of people. But let’s understand,  What anxiety is and how we can navigate it?  It just shows up as an uninvited guest when you least expect it, sometimes for a valid reason, other times just because it makes you feel low.

What is anxiety?

You should understand, that anxiety is our body’s natural response to stress, danger or the unknown thought that doesn’t hold any validation. The best part is when in actual danger it works like a survival mechanism, as it helps us to stay alert and prepared. Let me break this for you with an example:  

Imagine our ancestors walking through the jungle if they heard a rustling in the bushes, immediately anxiety kicks in, preparing them to either fight or protect themselves but, in today’s world, we are not running away from wild animals and we are not living in a drastic situation.

Anxiety doesn’t have to control you. You just need to follow a few steps in your daily life to overcome anxiety. I don’t tell you that it happens immediately once you practice but I would assure you that you will find the changes gradually.

Breathe and Calm yourself – The 4 – 7 – 8  technique  🧘‍♂️

Deep breaths can do wonders. Try breathing techniques – inhale for four seconds, hold for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds.

Exposure to sunlight increases Serotonin, which enhances mood, promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety.  Note: Low serotonin levels can lead to depression and anxiety disorder. So, spend at least 15-30 minutes in the sun and relish yourself.

Get a quality sleep 🚀.

In this busy scheduled life, we quite neglect a good sleep. Sleep is a boon. It improves memory, focus, and mood, while it reduces stress and anxiety. Quality sleep strengthens immunity, supports heart health, and promotes body and mind repair. So, aim for 7 -8 hours of sleep daily for a healthier and more energized life! 🌿

Challenge your thoughts

It’s quite common to get baseless thoughts while you feel anxious. But before you come to a conclusion, just ask yourself, “Is this thought true?” More often our anxious thoughts exaggerate reality. Challenging them can help bring things back into perspective.

Seek support 🖐

You aren’t the only one who should go through. Don’t hesitate to seek help. Talking to a friend, or a therapist will help you the most. Most importantly surround yourself with positive people that will make a huge difference.

A friendly thought

Anxiety is just like an overprotective friend who means well but sometimes takes it too far. The objective isn’t to eliminate it but to learn how to manage it. So that it doesn’t take charge. Remember you can turn down the levels of anxiety with the right guidance and the right people around you.

So, when anxiety knocks on your door again, greet it with 🧘‍♂️ a deep breath, a little compassion, and the knowledge that you’ve got this.

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