So, what is anxiety?
It is defined as a feeling of generalized worry, fear, apprehension, or nervousness.
Anxiety is often a "cover emotion" that is vague and unspecific, a secondary emotion that acts as a protective layer to shield us from experiencing the deeper feeling, usually a more vulnerable or uncomfortable, underlying emotion.
It is a natural and normal human response that has helped us human beings to survive in the past using either fight or flight. We all have to cope with anxiety in our lives but hopefully not too often.
Why do we experience anxiety?
While it once served us by alerting us to danger, we now experience anxiety in situations that are not life-threatening (work, family, health, etc.). For example, for about 9 months after my cancer operation anxiety attacks primarily at night. I believe because I realized my morality. I took action to rethink and change my lifestyle.
Our reaction to anxiety (tensing up, fight-or-flight mode) is what causes problems, not the anxiety itself.
How to overcome anxiety?
Anxiety is not fun and is very limiting in living fulfilled. Here is what I have learned coping with anxiety and what has assisted me.
(1) Recognize and name it: Acknowledge that you are feeling anxious.
(2) Choose active acceptance: Instead of resisting, reacting, or avoiding, choose to accept the anxiety. Here are some techniques for active acceptance:
Breathe: Focus on slow, deep breaths, particularly exhaling completely.
Thought download: Write down your thoughts to identify what is causing anxiety.
Describe anxiety: Describe the physical sensations of anxiety in detail.
Experiment: Try different things, e.g.: go for walks, go exercise, write in your journal, sign up for a cooking class, make a 5 year life plan, etc, and see what will decrease the anxiety.
Get Coaching: Find a Life Coach and get some coaching.