Let’s talk about anxiety
Photography by Danielle Ann Rose @bydanielleannrose
Anxiety: A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome
I’ll admit anxiety isn’t something I have always been familiar with, but from the experience I have had with it, I can tell you it’s no joke. I had learned so much about anxiety through my self-development studies but it wasn’t until early this year that I actually experienced it for myself and what I realized is that I had underestimated how uncomfortable, and debilitating it can be
For me, it feels like I’m stuck in a fight or flight response. I get this dropping feeling in my sternum that sends panic signals throughout my body and mind, telling me something bad is happening and that I am not safe. Even though, logically I know I am safe and there’s no danger nearby, there is a subconscious trigger. My breathing becomes short, shallow, and sharp, I find it difficult to focus and begin to feel exhausted and drained
When someone is in a state of fight or flight, their body thinks it’s in danger and does certain things to protect itself. One of which is that the blood from the brain rushes down to the vital organs, and limits its attention on the digestive system, making it difficult to think clearly or maintain nutrients. Anxiety is more than just social awkwardness, it affects our ability to function
It’s incredibly exhausting trying to push through these feelings before doing anything else. When I’m experiencing anxiousness I find it difficult to eat, I easily forget what I’m saying or doing and I spend a lot of time laying in bed crying, deep breathing, or meditating because it feels like there’s no other way out, even with the temporary relief it can still feel incredibly defeating. Even for someone like me who is fully aware that there is hope on the other side, and always a way through, it’s easy to forget that when every alarm in your body is screaming at you and you can’t for the life of you figure out why
When I first started feeling anxious my immediate response was to consciously find a reasonable explanation for it and try to think my way out of it, but that only got me stuck in a cycle of thinking anxious thoughts, feeling anxious feelings, thinking more anxious thoughts and then looking for the anxious feeling to check if it was still there or if I had “figured it out” yet. Locking me in a loop of fear, uncertainty, and panic
I’ve since come to terms with the fact that this is something I get to feel my way out of, rather than trying to figure it out mentally, and even though it’s incredibly uncomfortable, I trust that leaning into the anxious feeling, detaching from the meanings I’ve already assigned it, expressing the emotions linked with it, and learning how to change my thoughts around it, is what’s going to lead me to the other side. It has shown up for a reason and I am going to listen closely for what that might be
I’ve tried my best to be honest with everyone I can, that this is something I am currently navigating and that it’s actually really scary for me. I appreciate how compassionate, empathetic, and understanding everyone has been and it saddens me to hear just how many people can relate and know the feeling well. Part of me wishes I could take their pain away and absorb it all for them, but another part of me knows these feelings of alarm and anxiousness are our subconscious trying to communicate with us, and to take that from them would be taking away their power. Taking away their ability to listen and understand their own intuitive signals and messages, their ability to connect with their inner self and truly understand what it’s trying to tell them
There is so much information out there, but it’s just not something enough people are educated in. When someone is experiencing anxiety, others can be quick to expect them to get over it and move forward, but it’s honestly not that simple
It’s easy to misunderstand or misjudge someone when you don’t know what they are feeling. Anxiety clouds judgment and makes it difficult to focus or function properly, so when someone is having an off day or is being quiet with you, take a moment to consider why that might be and what they could be experiencing or going through. You never know what some kindness and understanding could mean to them
Some people go their whole lives just trying to survive a mental battle, never knowing relief. Forever trying to ignore or suppress their emotions, never stopping to hear what their body is trying to communicate with them, but it doesn’t always have to be like that. There are so many effective tools and modalities that can help alleviate the pressure and quiet all the noise
Here are just some of the resources I have come across and links to more information:
Rapid Transformational Therapy
InnerCalm Adaptogentic De-stress Powder
If you’d like recommendations for practitioners, therapists, or helpful links please don’t hesitate to ask
I have been incredibly fortunate to have access to all of these useful tools during times of need and feel that individually they are all unique and powerful but together they can change your life and help you live freely. Creating a safe place where you don’t have to push through anxiety and stress before thinking, speaking, or doing. With these resources in your tool belt, you can begin to thrive again
I’m sure there are many modalities and resources out there that help a lot of people, every day so if there is anything you can think of or would recommend, please share them in the comments for others and myself to find out more
Please remember you are never alone and there is always someone who can help
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