Steemit Engagement Challenge S18 W1 // I survive out of pure anxiety.

Hello lovely people of this community. Hope this new season of engagement challange has unfolded on a healthier note for you. Today I am here to write my blog post on this intersting theme which is about anxiety.

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Describe what situations can cause you anxiety.

Anxiety is a normal emotional response to stress, often driven by fear, pressure, and uncertainty. However, sometimes it becomes excessive and disrupts the day-to-day routine of an individual. As a medical professional, I recognize several classes of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, social anxiety, and phobias, as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

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I should mention that I have personally experienced anxiety disorder in the past and have even taken medication for it. I now believe that I have gone through so many ups and downs in life that no situation can lead me back to an anxiety disorder. However, temporary anxiety in response to certain situations still occurs, and some of these situations are mentioned below:

• Work-Related Anxiety: As a station in-charge with dozens of people working under me, I sometimes feel stressed when some employees underperform or do not comply with directions. This is because I am held accountable for their work. Nowadays, workplace-related anxiety is the most common trigger for me, whether or not it relates to my personal work.

• Health-Related Anxiety: It is said that health is wealth, and I have realized this through past experiences. Due to a serious health condition in the past, I have been an anxiety disorder patient and have taken medication for it. Nowadays, health issues affecting myself or my family can trigger anxiety, sometimes in anticipation of adverse health conditions.

• Social Anxiety: Some social situations, such as attending gatherings of unknown people, trigger anxiety in me. This is not due to fear of communication, judgment, or rejection, but because of certain health issues I am currently facing, which lead me to avoid such situations.

• Financial Stress: Demanding situations in life, fear of debt, and not being able to save for the future sometimes trigger anxiety in me.

• Personal Relationships: Conflicts and issues within relationships among friends, family, and relatives are not always under one's control. When these situations arise, they can cause me anxiety due to the fear of damaging these valued relationships.

• Uncertain Situations: Situations beyond one's control, such as global financial crises, conflicts between nations, political crises, and deteriorating living standards, can sometimes trigger anxiety when given attention.

How do you deal with this feeling? Some tips to avoid suffering from anxiety.

In my experience, anxiety is an inevitable emotion, and everyone encounters situations in life that trigger it. Not everyone, however, develops an anxiety disorder; some people handle these situations better than others. Here are some tips to avoid suffering from anxiety, many of which I personally follow:

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• Avoid Stressors: If possible, avoid situations that trigger anxiety. For example, social anxiety can be managed by avoiding large gatherings or by addressing the specific issues that cause anxiety. However, not all stressors can be avoided, such as workplace-related anxiety or anxiety from uncontrollable situations. In such cases, other measures should be followed.

• Regular Physical Activity: Engaging in regular physical activities like exercise, running, walking, jogging, and yoga can relieve stress by diverting the mind and releasing endorphins, which are known to lift the mood.

• Healthy Lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for mental well-being. This includes eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and limiting junk food and caffeine intake.

• Practice Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness helps in staying grounded in the present moment, avoiding anxiety about the past or future. Mindfulness and meditation have been proven to relieve anxiety symptoms and are worth adopting.

• Set Realistic Goals: Setting achievable targets within a specific time frame, along with effective time management and organizational skills, can help reduce feelings of being overwhelmed. Breaking complex tasks into smaller, manageable ones and assigning adequate time for each can be beneficial.

• Social Support: Connecting with family, friends, and relatives can provide comfort and reassurance. Their help, guidance, and shared experiences are invaluable in relieving anxiety.

• Stay Busy: Engaging in activities like writing, painting, dancing, or any other passion can prevent idle thoughts, which often contribute to anxiety.

• Seek Professional Help: Unfortunately, mental health is often stigmatized, and seeking professional help is seen as shameful. However, consulting mental health experts and counselors is an effective way to manage anxiety. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has shown great success in this field. Through CBT, individuals identify negative emotions, and therapists help them reframe these situations, thereby reducing their negative impact.

Conclusion

Anxiety is a normal physiological response of the body to stressful situations, with variable manifestations. It is an emotional response of the body to uncomfortable situations that arise unexpectedly. The manifestations of anxiety can be in the form of physical, emotional, or behavioral symptoms. Physical symptoms include palpitations, sweating, dizziness, and headaches. Emotional symptoms include irritability, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating. Behavioral symptoms can include nail-biting, pacing, avoidance of such situations, and sleeplessness. If we handle these stressful situations well, we are unlikely to develop full-blown anxiety disorders. Through various coping mechanisms, we can mitigate the impact within a few days to weeks, depending on the situation.