—
Holiday Stress and Signs of Anxiety
The holiday season may bring you more than just gifts under the tree. It may bring: the feeling of being on edge, racing heart, sweating, and exhaustion. If any of these things resonate with you then you may be experiencing anxiety. Anxiety manifests as excessive worry or fear. You are not alone. Anxiety can creep up and take down the best of us, so take note of when these feelings arise.
Lessons learned
Anxiety can teach you about yourself by how you respond to what’s happening in your life. Having anxiety can also magnify what you fear! 90% of what we think or fear doesn’t happen anyway! Anxiety can overburden and make you feel as though you’re worthless as you are in a fetal position trying to catch your breath. You can own your anxiety, it doesn’t have to dictate how you live your life.
Focus on your thoughts
What are you thinking about when anxiety starts to set in? Is there anything that you are worrying about right now? Monitoring your thoughts can help you to pinpoint the root of your anxiety.
Breath Work
Here’s one way you can take back your power: a specific breath sequence. The process is simple. Start by taking a big breath in counting to four. Hold the breath for seven counts. Exhale after holding the breath for 8 counts. Continue to do this sequence until your body is no longer in an anxious state.
Taking time to be mindful before an anxiety-inducing moment happens will make you feel like a Super-hero! For anyone struggling, feel free to try this technique. Be kind to yourself This is your reminder that you can do great things despite having anxiety. Feel the fear and do all the things anyway. Be well.
—
What’s your take on what you just read? Comment below or write a response and submit to us your own point of view or reaction here at the red box, below, which links to our submissions portal.
◊♦◊
Sign up for our Writing Prompts email to receive writing inspiration in your inbox twice per week.
Photo: Shutterstock
