There is a lot of talk and advice about wellbeing, but what exactly is it? The Oxford Dictionary defines it as “the state of being comfortable, healthy or happy”. It could also be how positive you are feeling about yourself and your life, what challenges you are facing and how easily or not you are able to deal with those challenges.
There are many reasons why someone might struggle with their wellbeing, including health conditions, financial situation, relationships and also anything that is affecting their mental health. In this article I would like to focus on one of the most widespread of mental health challenges – anxiety.
Let’s look at exactly what anxiety is. The dictionary describes it as “uneasiness of mind because of impending trouble or danger”. In small quantities anxiety can be helpful; protecting us from danger and focusing our attention on problem solving. However, when it becomes severe, or happens too often, it can become debilitating.
Some Anxiety triggers
- Change and uncertainty
- Stress from work or family situations
- Relationship problems
- Past experiences
- Illness
- Bereavement
Symptoms of Anxiety might include:
- Uncontrollable worry
- Poor concentration
- Sleep problems
- Excessive nervousness
- Upset stomach
- Muscle tension
So how can we reduce anxiety?
- Investigate the anxiety and ask yourself: what feelings do I notice when I’m anxious? What type of behaviours do I indulge in? What happens in my body? What thoughts go through my head? By getting up close and personal to the anxiety you can start to understand what it looks like and maybe do something about it before it gets too bad.
- Ask yourself: Is it a particular situation that is causing the anxiety and if so, is there anything I can do to change or adapt that situation?
- Reframe your thoughts – is there another way I can think about this situation? Can I challenge and therefore change my thoughts and reduce the anxiety.
- What strategies can I use to reduce my anxiety? What do I do already that helps?
- Use breathing and mindfulness techniques.
- Keep a journal recording all the good/positive things that have happened that day. This can help balance out the anxious feelings.
- Hobbies can help to take your mind off your anxious thoughts for a while. Knitting/crochet/doing jigsaws/crosswords/woodwork or any other distracting activity.
- Talk to trusted friends/relations or a health professional. Sometimes just telling someone how you feel can reduce the anxious feelings.
- Exercise, particularly outside. This releases hormones that can counteract anxiety.
If you would like to read more, or need help with anxiety, check out the following organisations: www.mind.org.uk / www.anxiety.org.uk / www.nhs.uk or talk with your GP.
