Can’t Relax No Matter What? You May Be Suffering From Anxiety
Relax. Relate. Release. Sounds simple enough. But if you’re feeling tense, nervous, and anxious all of the time, you may need more than just a spa day or to get the kids out of the house for a few hours. There are many techniques for relaxing, from CBD hemp oil to meditation to prescription medications. But you may be asking yourself, “Why do I even have such a hard time relaxing?” If you’re trying to get to the bottom of your relaxation woes, you may be suffering from anxiety. Lucky for you, knowing that you suffer from anxiety is half of the battle. The best course of action is different for everyone, so let’s explore deeper.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is an emotion all humans have the ability to experience. It’s the way your body reacts to stress, discomfort and danger. Anxiety is characterized by feelings of worry and distress, intrusive thoughts, and more. Physical symptoms include increased blood pressure, sweating, and dizziness. Anxiety isn’t always a bad thing. It can push you toward a deadline and have your body ready for a flight or fight response. Anxiety becomes a serious situation when it never lets up. And when you develop an anxiety disorder that is negatively affecting the way you interact with others and experience your life.
Anxiety Disorders
If your anxiety is persistent and typically triggered by non-threatening situations, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. It’s important to note that there are several different anxiety disorders and only a mental health professional can diagnose you with a disorder. Here are some of the more common anxiety disorders.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is characterized by obsessive thoughts that lead to compulsive behaviors that are a mechanism to relieve the anxiety that accompanies the obsessive thoughts.
- PTSD is related to experiencing trauma or a specific stressor.
- Panic Disorder is when someone has a sudden onset of panic and persistent thoughts or fear that panic will recur at any time.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder is excessive worry over the future and possible negative events to the point where daily activities are negatively affected.
Ways to Fight Back
You don’t have to be a slave to your anxiety. There are things that you can do to take charge of your life and feel more like yourself. Seeing a licensed therapist is one of the best things you can do if you struggle with anxiety or an anxiety disorder. A therapist can help you identify healthy ways to manage your symptoms, and a psychotherapist can prescribe prescription drugs if you are in need of them. Making lifestyle changes can also be beneficial. Things like increasing physical activity, picking up a hobby and cognitive behavioral therapy are just a few things that those who suffer from anxiety can try.
Everyone deserves a chance to relax. You don’t have to let anxiety and fear take that away from you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or consult a mental health professional. You might be surprised to see how things turn around for you.
