What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural physiological and psychological response to stress or perceived threats. It is characterized by feelings of worry, nervousness, or fear, and often triggers physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating, and tense muscles. Anxiety serves an evolutionary purpose, preparing us to confront or avoid danger (fight or flight) however, when it becomes excessive or persists beyond the immediate threat, it can interfere with our daily life.
Anxiety can refer to a long list of triggering situations such as constant feelings of worry or dread, restlessness or feeling “on edge, Overthinking or repeatedly analyzing situations, fatigue and tiredness, difficulty concentrating or mind "going blank", Avoidance of certain places, activities, or social situations due to fear, Irritability, muscle tension or aches, sleep disturbances such as insomnia or restless sleep, Physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, or gastrointestinal issues, Difficulty relaxing or feeling “on edge” most of the time, Sleep problems, such as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
This can interfere with a variety of aspects of our daily routines, relationships, and work, it may lead to other mental health issues such as depression, it can also cause or exacerbate physical health problems, including cardiovascular issues.