Anxiety
Everyone experiences some level of anxiety when there's a stressful or threatening situation. This is a natural response to these kinds of situations. However, when anxiety is excessive and easily triggered by situations or events that are not deemed as stressful or becomes difficult to control or manage, it can affect your functioning and social interactions. Excessive anxiety can also cause muscle tension, making your neck and shoulders to ache.
Signs of excessive anxiety include:
- Constant worrying about numerous things
- Feeling of nervousness, fear, dread or apprehension
- Irrational fear of something bad happening
- Trembling, sweating, faster breathing, and increase heart rate
- Restlessness
- Disturbed sleep (trouble falling asleep or staying asleep)
- Upset stomach, muscle tension, headache
- Inability to relax
- Difficulty concentrating or focusing
(Note: This information is not diagnostic. If you are experiencing severe, uncontrollable anxiety please visit a professional)
Managing anxiety:
- Do deep breathing when you experience anxiety
- Use mindfulness techniques
- Identify thoughts that trigger your anxiety and try to replace them
- Exercise regularly
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please make an appointment to see the Counselor and learn more about anxiety and how to manage it.
