My life has been marked by anxiety since childhood. I grew up in a volatile environment where domestic violence was prevalent. Certainly not extreme, but emotionally damaging nonetheless. The first time I experienced anxiety was during a heated argument between my parents. I experienced a rapid heartbeat, sweaty hands, and an uncomfortable stomach sensation. Initially, I thought I was just nervous. However, it became apparent that something was wrong when these symptoms became more frequent, even when nothing upsetting occurred. I had no idea how my life would change going forward.
The majority of my childhood episodes were mild. My parents never knew about them because I viewed them as normal given the volatile environment I grew up in. In my early twenties, I left my parents’ house and moved to Florida. I did not experience anxiety after leaving home. The first time it impacted my life was after I divorced. The severity and duration of these episodes were higher this time around. Once again, I felt generalized panic, my heart rate increasing, and my palms sweating. It was difficult to sleep because attacks occurred more frequently at night.
While I was healing from the divorce, I attended counseling and took care of my mental and physical health. It took me months to learn how to be a single mother and a single person. It was a therapist who told me about daily affirmations and positive self-talk.
The purpose of affirmations is to control your thoughts by repeating simple, powerful statements to yourself. Although it sounded silly and pointless to me at first, I decided to try it. Every time I visited her, she had me write down ten affirmations that I would repeat every day. We discussed my negative thoughts throughout the week (especially if they triggered an anxiety attack) and how I could transform them into positive ones. Following several weeks of therapy and practicing positive self-talk consistently, I slept better and experienced less anxiety. I also started to feel like myself again.
My negative thinking has improved as a result of positive self-talk. There is relief for you as well. Find out where negative thoughts originate when you experience them. Next, consider how you can transform this thought into a better one.
Understanding what triggers your anxiety will help you manage it. If you’re unsure what triggers your anxiety, I recommend seeking professional assistance. Getting an honest, unbiased perspective from someone outside your circle is never a bad idea. Their objectivity might allow you to view things from a different perspective.
It is important to maintain good mental health when dealing with anxiety disorder. By learning to manage your anxiety, you can gain control over your life and make healthier decisions for yourself and your family. The effects of anxiety can be harmful to emotional well-being and overall health if left untreated. Relationships may also be negatively affected by this, especially the one you have with yourself since you may feel incompetent and powerless.
You may not be able to completely rid yourself of anxiety. Positive results are possible with proper care, commitment, and self-love!
