• This article may be useful for anyone who deals with, or knows someone who suffers from it, as it investigates what’s happening within their opulent world of emotions.

Anxiety is a feeling that many people experience in their everyday life, especially among teenagers or young adults. It can be defined as a feeling of dread, worry, or nervousness that occurs when we are in stressful situations, our school life, social anxiety, overthinking and often teenage poor self-esteem and concern about their image. Although a small amount of anxiety can be actually beneficial for our life – not for nothing in psychology anxiety is also known as a “false friend” as it can make us much more cautious about our actions and increase our motivation – anxiety, with its side effects, can cause disturbance to both mental and physical health.

Some people believe that anxiety is just “being nervous”. However, it is far more complicated than that. 

Anxiety can be expressed in different ways. For instance, someone may experience a racing heartbeat, difficulty breathing, fatigue, nausea and/or intense stomach pain. Mentally, a person with anxiety may experience overthinking, negative thoughts and the feeling something bad is about to happen, even when there is no real danger. Some people with severe anxiety can feel as though they are losing control of their lives, and this can be a horrendous experience.

One of the main causes of anxiety is stress. School pressure, parental expectations, fear of failure and comparison with others are all sources of stress. Another cause of anxiety is social media. People often tend to compare their real lives with the “perfect” ones they see on social media. Another cause of anxiety is uncertainty. When we don’t know what is going to happen in the future, our mind tries to protect us from potential harm; however, this can turn into anxiety.

However, dealing with anxiety is not an easy task, but it can be done. To start with, it is essential to understand that having anxiety does not mean that a person is weak; it is a natural response of the human brain. This alone can make a person feel a little less anxious. When we struggle with anxiety or feel embarrassed by it, it tends to get worse.

One of the ways to overcome anxiety is through breathing exercises. When a person is experiencing anxiety their breathing rate becomes rapid and shallow. By taking slow breaths, the body gets a message that there’s nothing to worry about. For instance, you can take a breath in four seconds and hold the breath for four seconds. This exercise may seem too simple to work, but it actually calms the nervous system.

Another significant moment is changing negative thoughts. Anxiety usually produces negative thoughts like “I will fail.”, “Everyone will judge me.” or “I’m not good enough.” These negative thoughts are not necessarily true. It can be helpful to ask questions like “Is there a proof of this?” or “What is the worst that really can happen?” Over time, this can reduce the power of anxious thoughts, although it is not easy. Routine and lifestyle are also important aspects that play a significant role in anxiety. Lack of sleep can make life a living HELL, along with habits such as consuming excessive amounts of caffeinated drinks and smoking. These can also greatly influence anxiety. Sleep, exercise and taking breaks are beneficial for your cognitive abilities, and brain health. Fun fact: when an average individual, whether female or male, doesn’t get enough sleep, the brain practically “eats itself” due to stress! 

Taking LONG walks or listening to soothing music can help. People often think they need DRAMATIC changes, but sometimes it’s the small things that make a difference.

It is also very important to talk about anxiety. There are many people who keep everything inside because they are afraid of being judged or made fun of. However, talking to a friend, a teacher, or a family member can help ease anxiety. Sometimes, what we say out loud is not as scary as we think. There are times when we need professional help, and there is nothing wrong with asking for it.

Arian budeanu 1-DL pseudonimo:(Fedir Vishnya)