What is anxiety, and how can you reduce it?
Mental Health Awareness Week 2023
Monday 15th May kicks off Mental Health Awareness Week 2023, an annual event aimed to raise awareness and promote emotional wellbeing.
This year's theme is anxiety. Being anxious is a natural and necessary emotion; however, it can become persistent and interfere with day-to-day life. When this happens, it can be classified as anxiety disorder and require treatment. Anxiety disorder is one of the most common mental-health problems, affecting millions of people worldwide.
It’s something that’s extremely common, one in five adults has a mental illness, so basically everyone is essentially connected to this problem and this epidemic.
- Demi Lovato
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can range from mild to severe. Everyone experiences anxiety at some point in their life. For example, you may feel anxious about taking an exam, undergoing a medical test, or attending a job interview.
While things have improved, talking about mental health can still be uncomfortable. However, with celebrities such as Demi Levato, Lady Gaga, Serena Williams, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, and rapper, singer and songwriter Logic, speaking out, it’s becoming more common. And Mental Health Awareness Week gives us another opportunity to normalise conversations around mental health issues such as anxiety, and how to manage them.
There are several ways to reduce anxiety, and although it might seem like the hardest step to take, seeking support from family, friends, or a mental health professional is one of the most important ways to start.
When it comes to how to reduce anxiety, one effective strategy is practising mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of being present and aware of your own thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judgment, and has been proven to be effective when it comes to reducing anxiety. Mindfulness can be practised through meditation, breathing exercises, and other relaxation techniques which allow individuals to accept their thoughts and emotions without becoming too overwhelmed.
Another way to reduce anxiety is to take part in regular exercise. Whether it’s cardio, strength, dancing, walking or any other way of moving your body, exercise has been shown to reduce stress and improve mood, which can have a positive impact on anxiety symptoms. Other positive effects from exercise include improving self-confidence and bringing a sense of accomplishment.
When struggling with anxiety, focusing on general self-maintenance such as getting enough sleep, and eating a healthy diet is important, along with creating a routine and setting healthy boundaries. Setting time aside to practise self-care – which is any activity that brings you joy and relaxation - should also be a priority, as it is known to help reduce stress levels and promote better mental health.
It is likely that at some point, most of us will experience anxiety. However, when it starts to affect your daily life, it is important to remember that it’s ok to seek support from a professional who can help you understand why you are feeling like you do.
