Anxiety can actually be an extremely powerful survival tool. Giving you the power to worry and be concerned about the future — this feeling has saved countless humans from dehydration, starvation, and other problems that they wouldn’t be worried about without feeling anxiety and the related stress associated with it.
Though, with survival being of little concern for many people today, you might expect that feelings of anxiety and stress might disappear from daily life. Unfortunately, it seems as though the opposite is happening with many people, as modern life if filled with anxiety and stress. As to why this might be, we have to explore some of the main causes of anxiety in the modern world. Then, we can provide some tips to help reduce and manage anxiety.
Overworked And On The Edge
While most humans don’t have to worry about survival in the sense that they will run out of food, many people do find themselves on the edge of experiencing poverty. This brings new meaning to the word “survival” — and it can be extremely difficult to get ahead in a society that has not structurally made it possible for quite some time. This leaves people feeling as though they are always fighting to earn enough to keep themselves moving forward — always creating challenges along the way — and making life much harder than it needs to be.
Alongside being on the edge of survival, many people also find themselves today overworked. Many of the easiest jobs to get your hands on involve doing huge amounts of work with very little reward — forcing people to spend just about all of their time working and being unable to pursue goals that could improve their lives. Even the idea of spending the better part of your life like this can be a major source of anxiety for many people.
Feeling Societal Pressure
Not all social groups are welcoming places. There may be strict standards that people have to meet to be accepted into the wider flock. Whether it’s your job, the way you dress, or the activities you like the most, it can be hard to make yourself feel like you’re part of a larger group. This leaves a lot of people feeling anxious, especially when they are around other people, and can make it extremely difficult to feel happy in today’s world. This can be particularly hard when people don’t feel like they are on the same level as their peers and feel like they are always being judged by other people.
Treating Substance Abuse
Whether it is the cause or a symptom of your anxiety, substance abuse and mental health conditions tend to go hand in hand. Some people turn to drinking and taking drugs when they aren’t happy with their life, while others will find themselves becoming unhappy as the result of substance abuse. While many of the drugs and drinks people enjoy today have been around for a long time — they have never been so easily available as they are today.
Learning about drinking, addiction and hidden impacts of anxiety can be a good way to improve your mindset when you’re struggling with substances. People often assume that they can’t get help with this side, which only makes themselves feel more anxious in the process. There have never been so many resources or professionals available to help you with addiction — and this is something that can seriously help with your anxiety.
Managing Anxiety
One of the biggest challenges that come with anxiety is the lethargy and hopelessness that often comes along with it. It can be extremely difficult to look for ways to improve your life when you find yourself in this position — making it well worth your time to look for help wherever you can.
Seeking Professional Support
Therapy has long been a popular way to deal with mental health issues, and there has never been a better time to look for this sort of support. Cognitive behavioural therapists can work with you to change the way you think about the challenges you are facing — and also provide ways that you can modify your habits and lifestyle to better manage your anxiety.
Changing Your Lifestyle
Dramatic changes can be difficult for someone who is struggling with anxiety, but smaller ones can actually do a world of good. Changing your morning routine to include a short walk before you start your day if just one example of what has been known to work for some people.
Practicing Mindfulness And Meditation
Understanding your thoughts and emotions can be extremely difficult, especially when you are feeling bad about something. Mindfulness can help you to get to the bottom of your negative thoughts, while meditation can help you to clear your mind and give your emotions a reset. Both of these methods take time to learn — but the effort that you put in can be well worth it.
Talking To Loved Ones
Anxiety can often feel like a battle that you have to deal with by yourself, though this is rarely the case. Your loved ones will want to help you, and this makes it well worth talking to them to make sure that they are aware of how you feel. This should never become an opportunity for argument or a chance to blame one another — instead, look at it as an opportunity for you to get the help you need.
Things Will Get Better With The Right Support
Anxiety is a major issue in modern society, with many people struggling with this mental health condition. If you’re struggling with something like this — it is well worth your time to look for help — and there is never a better time to do this than now.
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