Ep 4: Anxiety: What it is and What to Do When it Shows Up

This emotion is a biggie. Did you know that 1/3 of all adults in the US will be affected by an anxiety disorder in their lifetime with fewer than half seeking treatment? 

I have a personal relationship with anxiety. Before I share my story, let’s define what we’re discussing. 

Anxiety: An emotion characterized by feelings of tension, and worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure. 

It’s worth mentioning that when we talk about emotions there are traits and states. When you hear the difference, it will help you identify and work through anxiety in your life. 

There’s also another type of anxiety referred to as Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It is defined as a condition of excessive worry about everyday issues and situations. It lasts longer than 6 months and in addition to feeling worried you may also feel restlessness, fatigue, trouble concentrating, irritability, increased muscle tension and trouble sleeping. 

There’s also something called functional anxiety. That’s the anxiety that pushes us to study for the test or prepare for a big meeting. Once we do the thing (prepare, study) the anxiety goes away, having helped us do what needed to be done in the moment. 

There is help. 

I’ve dealt with anxiety for much of my life. Psychotherapy for one, and other strategies can help us recognize the cause of anxiety so we can take appropriate steps to remedy the situation. 

Hear how I tell the difference between my internal anxiety and the intuitive messages that I also receive. My story is likely much different than yours, but it will help you understand what to do in the moment. 

Anxiety needs to be understood and respected. We need to understand why it’s showing up. What do we need to do and what do we need to learn?  

What can we do to calm ourselves? 

1. Be slow to respond and quick to think. Do you have the info you need to respond?
2. Stay mindful of the effect being calm has for you and those around you. Calm is contagious! 
3. Take a breath. Slow down, stay aware, name what you are feeling first. 

I share my personal experience about my own medication use. It’s a personal choice of course, but I knew I needed to get my bearings and the medication helped. Once I had other tools and was physically healthier, I was able to stop the medication. 

Anxiety can lead to panic attacks. IYKYK. I’ve only had one and it was terrifying. There were no rational thoughts and I felt like my body and my mind were completely taken over. Is your experience like mine? What helped you? 

Yoga and meditation work for me. Hear the brain science on this as well. It’ll give you another reason to give yoga a try.

Be sure to try the box breathing technique. You can come back to this episode any time you need to gain calm and focus. 

Don’t miss this week’s poem: She Let Go by Safire Rose 

Resources: 

• Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown
•  Come as You Are by Emily Nagoski
•  The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

• The Dance of Connection by Harriet Lerner