^{WELFARE CHECK⏤𝗦𝝩𝗢𝗣 Anxiety! Read HOW!}

_{An Article On Proven Ways To Help Reduce Anxiety & The Importance Of Our Mental And Emotional Health⏤Balance Your Mental And Emotional Health}

“Anxiety is a lot like a toddler. It 
never stops talking, tells you you’re 
wrong about everything, and wakes you 
up at 3 a.m.” ⏤Anonymous

Anxiety regularly is defined as a sustained and excessive fear that a person cannot manage, and is associated usually with the anticipation of future risks, such as an upcoming annoying occasion you don't want to attend to. At times, anxiety will have a large and negative effect on our everyday lives, work, relationships, and general happiness. Anxiety can also be extremely irritable, concerning, and restless, and cause a debilitating strain reaction that can last for minutes to hours, and days on in. Let's break it down, shall we?

Emotionally, anxiety can appear as:

⋄Excessive worry

⋄Fatigue

⋄Irritability

⋄Panic attacks

⋄Paranoia

⋄Poor concentration

⋄Restlessness

⋄Sleep disturbances

Physically, anxiety can appear as:

⋄Chest pain

⋄Diarrhea (stool pattern changes or upset stomach)

⋄Headache

⋄Increased heart rate

⋄Muscle aches

⋄Shaking

⋄Shortness of breath

⋄Sweating

Left disorderly, anxiety can negatively affect our lives in these ways:

⋄Interrupting daily life⏤Causing issues at home, school, work, and socially

⋄Isolating us⏤Not wanting to join  in normal daily activities or take new steps in life due to worry

⋄Emotionally⏤Increasing our chance for suicide and failure to progress in life

⋄Physically⏤Increasing our risk for physical distress, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, chest pain, and tremors

⋄Mentally⏤Increasing our risk for financial drawbacks, poor decision-making, and poor communication

^{“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest taken between two deep breaths.”  — Etty Hillesum}

Recognition of anxiety is a key factor in struggling with excessive worry and moving along in life. If you or someone you know have had any of the above symptoms or have had difficulty controlling stress in your life, ask yourself the f it could be the anxiety you're encountering. It's crucial to share any concerns of excessive worry with your healthcare provider so you can get the help you need to identify ways to address your anxiety and move past the debilitation of excessive distress. So, when should someone seek advice or treatment from a medical professional?

It's advised to speak to a health care provider about anxiety promptly if any of these situations occur:

• Your anxiety becomes an obstacle⏤In any aspect of everyday living, often causing difficulties for six or more months
• Your anxiety becomes a negative influence in relationships⏤Creating barriers in life
• Your anxiety leads to isolation⏤Producing thoughts of hopelessness or helplessness
• Your anxiety controls your life⏤When your emotional or physical response to excessive worry is controlling your life in some aspect or another

A person with anxiety can seek support from a therapist, medical provider, family member, friend, community support person, crisis, line resource, or a crisis center.

Consider this exercise below encourages people to shift their focus to the surroundings in the present moment and away from what is causing them to feel anxious. It's proven to help interrupt unhealthy thought patterns!

First, sit quietly. Look around you and notice:

✦ 5 things you can see: Your hands, the sky, a tree, the first item to your right, a book 

✦ 4 things you can physically feel: Your feet on the ground, your cell phone, your car keys, a pillow 

✦ 3 things you can hear: The wind blowing, children’s laughter, passing-by cars

✦ 2 things you can smell: Fresh-cut grass, coffee, soap, perfume

✦ 1 thing you can taste: Candy, the fresh air, coffee

Your troubles may not go away on their own, and they may worsen over time if you don't pursue assistance. See your health care provider or a mental health provider before your anxiety worsens. It's easier to treat if you get help early but also keep in mind, you are only human! It is normal to feel stressed or overwhelmed during uncertain times. This is why taking care of yourself is essential!

_{Here are a few tips you can use to take care of yourself⏤read on. . .}

PHYSICAL HEALTH

⋄ Fuel your body by eating a healthy, well-balanced diet and drinking plenty of water

⋄ Aim to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night

⋄ Exercise every day

⋄ Take deep breaths and stretch often

⋄ Avoid risky or destructive behaviors, such as abusing alcohol or drugs, excessive, gambling, or ignoring public health recommendations

⋄ Spend time outside, such as going for a walk in the park (follow social distancing guidelines)

MENTAL HEALTH

⋄ Set and maintain a routine at home

⋄ Focus on things you can control

⋄ Use technology to maintain social connections with your loved ones (Consider a regular check-in schedule to give you something to look forward to)

⋄ Focus your thoughts on the present and things to be grateful for today

⋄ Listen to music or read books

⋄ Consume reliable news sources that report facts, and avoid media that sensationalizes emotions

⋄ Limit your exposure or take a breathe peak at the news and social media if you find that it makes you anxious

⋄ Lean on your personal beliefs and faith for support 

⋄ Look for ways to help your community, such as blood donations, checking on older people in your neighborhood, or donating supplies or money to local organizations

⋄ Acknowledge and appreciate what others are doing to help you and your community

_{✰⭒٭⭒Thanks for reading my article on anxiety and the importance of balancing our mental and emotional health⏤if you enjoyed this article, keep an eye out for my next article on the different types of anxiety and how to detect the key signs from each different anxiety disorder⭒٭⭒✰}

_{𝀈MICHELLE LOREEN}