Do you find yourself constantly worrying about everyday things for no particular reason? Does excessive worry about work, money, school, or family take over your day? Or are you constantly waiting for some kind of disaster to strike? Maybe you think that by "worrying enough," you can prevent bad things from happening? If you have answered yes to all or some of the above, it sounds like worry can be a problem for you!
All of us, to an extent, worry about things that are relevant to us. Whether it's personal or professional, worrying is part and parcel of life. That is natural and not a problem, necessarily. Worrying becomes a concern when the body and mind start to experience the impact of excessive worrying. As a result of worrying, high anxiety and constant stress about the impending doom or what may happen further make the body and mind ill. Unrealistic fears take control over rational thoughts resulting in a host of symptoms that can be both uncomfortable and overwhelming—for instance, loss of appetite, lack of interest in personal relationships, and losing focus at work. What's more, in order to seek temporary relief, people living with this condition can look towards dependence on alcohol, overeating, smoking, overshopping, etc.
What might be surprising is that chronic worrying and high emotional stress can lead to many health issues. Many people are unaware of the impact of worrying on our body. Unfortunately, the state of excessive worrying results in daily activation of flight and fight response. This daily triggering causes the body to release cortisol, which is one of the stress hormones, and this contributes to adverse physical reactions. Some physical symptoms include dry mouth, fast heartbeat, difficulty swallowing, irritability, nausea, muscle aches, tension, fatigue, headaches, sweating, twitching and trembling. Additionally, people who are big worriers experience nervous energy and shortness of breath without any apparent reason.
Some of the signs of a big worrier are that they believe that they would be tempting fate by not worrying too much and that something terrible will most certainly happen. They might feel the need to be constantly reassured even when things are fine and smooth running. What's more, people who are worriers often experience extreme fear of certain situations that most people would handle with slight unease.
Conclusion
What's important to keep in mind is that even though there are struggles involved as a worrier, you are not out of options for feeling better. There are a host of things you can do to get this under control. Lifestyle changes include eating a balanced diet, getting into the routine of daily exercise, drinking caffeine in moderation, and learning healthy ways of relaxation, whether it's taking up a yoga class, mindful meditation, going for long walks, or simply meeting friends for coffee. Finally, suppose you find yourself in a situation where none of the above is helping you deal with excessive worrying. In that case, it's a good idea to seek professional help from a registered psychologist. Counselling could be very effective if you want to get to the bottom of your fear, anxiety and stress. Still, with the assistance of your therapist, you will be able to learn techniques that will help you cope better and use a more rational approach when dealing with fear and stress.
If life feels out of control, don't hesitate to seek the help of a mental health counsellor. At Ward & Associates Psychological Services, we provide therapy for anxiety disorders, couples counselling, PTSD Treatment, and more in Sherwood Park. We also offer video counselling for clients anywhere in Alberta. Book an appointment now!