Are you stressed or anxious?
We hear people saying all the time that they are stressed, this could be work stresses or home stresses or getting to work on time stresses. However, it is becoming more common now for people to talk about feeling “anxious”
If you were to stop someone on the street and ask them if they feel more or less anxious than they did say 5-10 years ago, they would probably answer yes. This isn’t surprising as the world has become a scarier place with terrorism, politics (Brexit uncertainty), and economic stability.
This article is going to explore the difference between anxiety and stress. We know that some days we may have a lot on our plate from juggling family life, sick children or parents, work demands, running late for meetings or getting stuck in traffic. On top of this, we can go through stressful periods in our lives like relationships ending, divorce, having a baby, caring for elderly relatives or children leaving home.
A key difference between anxiety and stress is that with stress the feelings usually disappear after the event is over. This could be for example in the run-up to an important presentation at work and after it is over we feel a sense of relief. We can tolerate a level of stress in our lives, in fact, some stress is good for us.
Anxiety is when the situation becomes unbearable and we are getting those feelings on a regular basis. This can be combined with physical symptoms like breathing difficulties and eventually panic attacks. Worrying negative thoughts can dominate your mind making it difficult to concentrate and focus. Negative forecasting is a common symptom and constantly worrying about the next thing that could go wrong.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTBrGSF-Ty0
What are the typical symptoms of anxiety?
A lot of people still carry on with their lives despite having anxiety and this can leave them feeling exhausted, and worn out by the end of the day. Typical symptoms range from a fast beating heart, feeling dizzy, sweaty pains, needing to go to the toilet more, insomnia, feeling irritable, not being able to settle and a lack of concentration. Some people experience terrifying panic attacks which can leave them feeling completely drained afterwards. Some of my clients have said that feel they aren’t really present and are missing out on their lives. This could be from not wanting to go to social occasions or going for interviews or in some cases being able to leave your home.
The NHS list some of the mental symptoms of anxiety as:
· a sense of impending doom, feeling "on edge", difficulty concentrating, irritability
· social withdrawal or finding going to work stressful and needing to take time off.
The NHS lists some physical symptoms of anxiety as:
· Tiredness, a fast heartbeat, muscle aches, and tension, trembling or shaking, dizziness
· Sweating, dry mouth, shortness of breath, stomach ache, feeling sick, tension headaches
· Sleeping difficulties, Pins, and needles
I’m struggling right now what can I do to help myself?
The clients I see often feel like it is just them who feels this way. It can make you feel isolated and alone or broken.
This can be combined with not sleeping well and this can mean that getting through the next day can feel challenging and overwhelming.
Replaying conversations people have had with you and beating yourself up with what you said or didn’t say can all lead to us feeling worse.
Being your own worst critic and when we are feeling anxious it can create a desire to retreat from the world.
If anyone of this sound like you the following suggestions can help with anxiety:
Exercising. Whilst you may not feel like doing exercise it can be really good for an anxious brain. If it feels too overwhelming to go to the gym, getting outside every day for a walk can be really soothing for our minds.
Sleep. Ensuring you go to bed at a regular time at night and having a good sleep hygiene routine can make a difference. Sleep really helps us be able to cope better with life’s stresses.
Meditation or listening to a relaxing hypnotherapy recording can help your mind unwind and for you to feel calmer.
Mindfulness – This can be implemented into your day to day life by noticing the detail in your surroundings. When going for a walk notice the things you can see around you. Notice the birds singing, hear the sound of your feet walking along the road and breathe in some fresh air.
Friendships -Keeping up contact with friends and getting out amongst other people can really help with anxiety.
In the modern world, we can feel disconnected sometimes and studies are showing that more people are feeling lonely. Loneliness can affect people at any age and more young people are experiencing loneliness.
Caffeine - Some food and drink can make anxiety symptoms worse, these include fizzy drinks with caffeine, coffees, and teas. Limit your consumption of caffeine after lunch as this can affect your sleep at night time.
Where can I get some help?
Your GP can be a good source of advice as a starting point. Your GP may refer you for CBT or advise on some medication or exercise. In some areas, there can be waiting lists of 6-12 months for CBT.
Anxiety UK also produces some useful resources.
Talk to someone about your concerns, this could be a friend or a family member or a work colleague.
Clinical hypnotherapy can help with anxiety as it helps your brain have some downtime and relax and helps create new neural pathways form in the brain. This combined with some positive “solution-focused” talk can help you moved towards your preferred future.
How does solution focused brief hypnotherapy differ from say counselling?
One of the main differences is that it helps the client to focus on their future and what that would look like to them. It does not rehash the past. It is positive and future-facing. Another difference is the way the questions are used to create a setting with client change is likely.
If you would like to find out more or book your initial consultation please see www.judithwardhypnotherapy.co.uk
You can also visit her Facebook page where she posts videos on the subject of anxiety:
https://www.facebook.com/judithwardhypnotherapy%20/
Who am I?
Judith Ward is an award-winning clinical solution focused hypnotherapist who is located in Bangor in Northern Ireland. She works from her clinic and also online with clients internationally. She was trauma lead for the BBC in Television in London and initially trained at CPHT in London before relocating back to Northern Ireland and setting up her practice here. In 2019 she completed an intensive Solution-focused therapy course with BRIEF International.
She loves helping people overcome fears and phobias and to feel calmer. Solution-focused hypnotherapy can help with insomnia, relationships at work or at home, flying phobias, confidence, interview and exam nerves, confidence and self-esteem, mindset work around eating and exercise, panic attacks, claustrophobia, hair pulling and skin picking and much more.
She has a special interest in IBS hypnotherapy and has helped clients who have IBS, IBD, chronic fatigue cope better.
She has worked with many businesses over the years in various roles in London as a trainer and as a professional safety advisor talking about stress and work-life balance. Her background working in Television production for 7 years means that she has an insight into what stresses productions are under and clients from this sector have benefitted from seeing her.
If you would like to find out more about Judith Ward you can also find her on other social media channels:
Social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judithwardhypnotherapy%20/
Linkedin: www.dhirubhai.net/in/judith-wardhypnotherapy
Instagram: @judithwardhypnotherapy
To make a booking or find out more info please see www.judithwardhypnotherapy.co.uk or Tel: 07855528423.
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