There is not one of us who hasn't lived without anxious thoughts at times. You might see a snake, avoid a car accident or realize you are short of money this month. It could even be walking into a grocery store and seeing the inflationary prices. That certainly is realistic.
But when does anxiety become more chronic, more disabling, impact your life?
I have recently had the honor of listening to a few women who describe their sense of anxiety and when you listen, you realize it really affects their life, maybe daily.
Definition-A psychological, physiological, and behavioral state that results from a threat to survival or well-being, either actual or potential. It is characterized by increased arousal, expectancy, autonomic and neuroendocrine activation, and specific behavior patterns.
Translation-sweating, hot flashes, dry mouth, heart palpitation rapid heart rate, chest pain, rapid breathing, dizziness, stomach pains, diarrhea, or nausea, muscle aches, tension or trembling.
Back to the snake. That is transient, once you see it and get away from it, these symptoms calm down.
What if you feel this every day and it is disabling or at least disturbing your sense of peacefulness?
The first thing is to identify it, right? Some women I have spoken to really don't want to believe that you can feel that bad from feeling "nervous". It is much more than that. It can control your life, your relationships and certainly your health.
As women, we are affected by our hormones when we are young, but certainly as we get older and they are diminished. Possibly we notice that as we get older we don't handle things as well? It is part of the hormone depletion, fatigue and just sometimes overwhelm, right? Plus, this whole "getting older" thing is not easy. My dad used to tell me, getting older is not for chickens. Meaning, it is difficult for sure.
None of us want to feel this way. so what can we do?
To me, that is the most important thing, what can WE do about it?
Of course, we know there are a host of medicines out there, but isn't there something before pills? I am not against medicines, but for me, I want to try everything I can before a pill. But define it for you.
Let's look at steps before meds.
Do you sleep 8 hours undisturbed at night? When you wake, 5 deep breaths, all the way to your stomach. Do that every 3-4 hours during the day, or also if you start feeling anxious. Start the morning with a walk, yoga, meditation, exercise routine because we love serotonin and it calms us. Avoid caffeine, drink lots of water, and avoid sugars and they are a stimulant and we are living in an overstimulated world, so why look for more? Talk to a partner, a good friend or a therapist if needed. You have words that you need to get out, so don't hesitate or worry about bothering someone. Wouldn't you be there for them?
A few more things, turn off the news. Geez, it is so depressing. We can't fix it and just being aware of it doesn't help anyone. We are too inconsequential to fix the politics of this world.
Sorry this post is a little long, but this is such an important discussion.
Remember though, if it gets to just be "too much" and you have tried numerous approaches, let your health care provider guide you. It is often linked to depression and can be a symptom of a masked depression.
Don't be afraid to reach out for help. You are so important to this world.