Anxiety is a prevalent but sometimes debilitating issue which can affect our lives in many ways. You may have always suffered from anxiety, or it could be triggered by an event such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic. If you have never experienced a panic attack, then your first one can be extremely alarming.
It's ok, not to be ok. We all have worries and concerns, and most of the time, we have the ability to process these and move forward with constructive solutions. However, if life is giving you a hard time, and you are going through extreme pressures, you might find you are unable to control your thoughts and your bodies reactions to anxiety and stress.
Stress places the body under attack and will kick start a process in your nervous system. Releasing a flood of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, your body will naturally prepare you for emergency action. You may feel your heart beating faster, your muscles will tighten, your breathing will speed up, and your overall senses start to become sharper. You're now ready for fight or flight mode.
If you are in a highly stressful situation such as a bungee jump, then you will understand the feelings and what your body is doing. However, if you are in your car overthinking and worrying, and you suddenly experience these symptoms then you can find yourself confusing them with other health matters, such as being unable to breathe or having a heart attack. This causes your body to respond again, making the symptoms worse, and you eventually go into a panic attack.
You will also find there are side effects of stress that cause you physical ailments. You might start to experience stomach issues and cramping. You may also experience gastric problems. These can be treated with diarrhoea medicine or antacids; however, you are focussing on the symptom, not the cause. So work out the route of your stress and start to get to grips with it.
Coping with Anxiety is really hard, but one of the best ways of dealing with it is to talk to someone. A close friend or relative can help you find ways through your worries and may be able to help you see a calmer way through. You may find talking to a counsellor is more helpful as they can help you form a healthier relationship with high-stress situations.
Learning to see the signs of anxiety can help you control panic attacks. Meditation is a great way to take control of yourself and help you practice mindfulness which will enable you to calm yourself down, clear your head and give your body time to recover. Exercise is another excellent way to help relieve stress and anxiety.
You are not alone; the feelings you have are experienced by most of us at some point in our lives. There is no shame in asking for help or for needing to take some time out for yourself to clear your head and recentre yourself.