Anxiety Takes a Toll on You. Will You Allow It?

Anxiety is a word we hear often but we don't really understand the concept. What is anxiety? Do emotionally unstable people suffer from it? Does everyone suffer? When we hear a young person say they suffer from anxiety; do they really?

Anxiety is a feeling of doubt, insecurity, and stress. Trouble breathing, feeling trapped, always worried. One feels trapped like a hamster in its cage. A tiny defenseless hamster looking around just to find tall, wired fences with no way out, not even a tiny hole of hope to escape. Then, those negative thoughts become stronger and constant just like a hamster on a wheel. A hamster can be on the wheel for hours running like if it's a marathon without a break. That's how the negative thoughts work in your mind.

Everyone at one point in their lives has had a sense of anxiety: starting a new job, losing a job, finding out you're expecting a child, finding out you have a disease, seeing your child take the wrong path, worrying how you'll pay rent, etc. Yes, even youths experience anxiety although many from older generations do not believe it. Youths are forced to be in an environment or society that has expectations of how to look, how to speak and what they should be in their future.

Now, you realize anxiety is everywhere and everyone can suffer from it. However, will you as an individual allow that grain of anxiety to become a mountain of doubts? How can you live a happier life?

3 Steps:

1- Change your thoughts.

Have you ever heard of CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy)? Think of a triangle. At the top, you have thoughts written out, at the bottom right you have feelings written out and finally, at the bottom left you have behaviours written out.

Now, if you have a thought such as "I'm not good enough" your feeling begins to be a sense of worthlessness, which leads to behaviour such as sadness and isolation. Let's try this again: "I'm not good enough"—change it to "If I try my best I can do it," what feeling will you feel? And, how will your behaviour be?

2- Find a purpose.

That can be hard. How can you find a purpose in this world when there is so much negativity? Well, there you go. Become a person you wish to see in this world. Find something positive to do. Find a purpose where you feel it is right and where you belong. For example, volunteering where there is a need for help locally or in another location. Also, finding comfort in religious beliefs such as in the Bible, some might think it is an ancient and non-applicable literature but have you taken a chance to prove those statements or beliefs, you might find purpose there. Maybe you can't move to another location to help people but what about people close to you such as relatives, neighbours or friends. What might they need? A friend to count on? Help around the house? Someone who gives them attention or time? Find your purpose in this negative world and stick to it, make it positive.

3- Self-Care Strategies.

What is self-care? Self-care is an action where you take time for yourself doing something you enjoy or relaxes you. For example: Listen to music, going to the spa, going for a walk, exercising, drawing, writing, going to a restaurant alone to treat yourself to your favourite dessert, etc. Find the time to do something YOU enjoy yourself at least once a week. If you need more, then go for it!

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Remember, if you feel trapped don't forget you are not alone. Many of us do too, however, try your best to continue you are capable of doing so. The question is: Will you as an individual allow that grain of anxiety to become a mountain of doubts?