Anxiety is a normal and healthy evolutionary function. We need it to a certain extent to keep us sharp and aware. However, if it is overwhelming and inappropriate, it then becomes crippling and very difficult to live with. In truth Anxiety is at the root of many unhelpful habits and addictive behaviours. We sometimes learn to adopt strategies to deal with uncomfortable feelings whilst ignoring the root cause of them. These strategies can be for example , over-eating, taking drugs, drinking too much etc to alleviate our pain. Often however there is a kick-back from this. Our strategies for dealing with our fears can become our new worst enemy and in fact create more anxiety, and guilt, for us to deal with. We can then be caught in a vicious cycle that becomes habitual. Nobody wants to be a “hamster on a wheel”. The toll on the nervous system is considerable and it can lead to exhaustion and symptoms of depression. Sometimes anxiety is simply a response to external pressures. Sometimes it is just a habit. Often it is a combination of both. Either way it can do no harm to try to alleviate the symptoms and give yourself space to tackle life in a more positive and less stressful frame of mind.

If you need help with techniques to combat your anxiety do ring me for a chat.