"Whoever has learnt to be anxious in the right way
has learnt the ultimate".
Kierkegaard
Do I have anxiety?
No matter who you are, you will have experienced anxiety.
Anxiety is a natural human response when we perceive we are under threat. Anxiety is when we feel tense, worried or afraid. Anxiety is prevalent today and can actually be beneficial as it can keep us safe and inform us when there is a threat. You may feel anxiety when experiencing particularly stressful events such as divorce or moving house.
People often seek out psychotherapy when their anxiety doesn’t seem connected to anything in particular or when traumatic events from the past are causing anxiety in the present. Psychotherapy can also help those whose anxiety has become debilitating and overwhelming.
For some people, anxiety can be severe and seriously negatively impact their lives on a day-to-day basis.
How can therapy help with anxiety?
Therapy can help with anxiety in several ways:
1. Identifying the root causes: Cristalle can help you identify the underlying causes of your anxiety and work with you to develop strategies to manage them.
2. Teaching coping mechanisms: Cristalle can teach you techniques to cope with anxiety, such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, or progressive muscle relaxation.
3. Providing support: Cristalle can provide a supportive environment where you can talk about your feelings and experiences without judgment
4. Helping to change negative thinking patterns: Cristalle can help you challenge negative thoughts and beliefs that may be contributing to your anxiety.
5. Healing from trauma. Your anxiety will lessen when trauma is released and integrated.
Here's a quick simple way you can reduce your anxiety today:
Common causes of anxiety.
- Stress
- Trauma
- Addictions
- Divorce
- Toxic relationships
- Abuse
- Phobias
- Grief
- Financial problems
- New job
- New relationships
Anxiety may become a problem when:
- Your feelings of anxiety are very strong or last for a very long time
- Your fears or worries are all-consuming and disproportionate to the actual situation. Perhaps something from your past is being triggered.
- You avoid situations that cause anxiety
- You find it difficult to enjoy your daily life and finding it hard to connect with people around you
- You are having panic attacks
- You are depending on alcohol, drugs and other substances to manage your feelings
What to do if anxiety is becoming a problem for you.
You can start by contacting a therapist like Cristalle or talking directly with your GP.
Your GP can offer helpful advice and may agree that therapy can help.
Other than working with a therapist, there are a few self-care options that could help with stress and anxiety:
Yoga
Yoga is a great way to unwind and focus your attention back to your physical body in the present rather than the trigger of your anxiety or stress.
Meditation
Regular meditation can help you retrain your mind to more easily move past your anxiety and into a more relaxed state.
Exercise
Exercise is a great natural stress reliever. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which make you feel more positive, while strenuous physical work can help release muscle tension.
Journaling
Journaling can help you gain insight into your anxiety and help you find the root causes or triggers. It also often helps you let go of built-up stress by getting root causes down on paper. Journalling fosters self-awareness and can give us a sense of control, which is an excellent antidote to anxiety.