Anxiety

Anxiety is something that most people encounter at some point in life. Many everyday events can create a sense of anxiousness. Paying bills, getting a checkup at the dentist, enrolling a child in school, or even changing neighborhoods can cause a person to develop a low level of anxiety. Sleep anxiety is not the same. It is a fear of falling asleep. Sleep anxiety is not a lone condition but rather a symptom of generalized anxiety disorder. However, it is specifically focused on sleep. Some individuals who suffer from this type of anxiety are concerned that something will happen to them while they are sleeping. After some time, these individuals associate going to bed with the thoughts of not getting enough rest. This can affect other areas of daily life. When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your comfort delights my soul. – Psalm 94:19, NASB Symptoms of Sleep Anxiety Anxiety is not the same condition as insomnia, but they can occur together. Both conditions revolve around bedtime and sleeping. Other symptoms that may come with sleep anxiety are: Physical symptoms: Dizziness Restlessness Sweating Shortness of breath Chest pain Fast heartbeat Aches and pains Muscle tension Trembling and chills Cognitive Symptoms: Nightmares Racing thoughts Worry or fear Risk Factors Sleep anxiety can be connected to different mental health conditions. Those who struggle with other mental health conditions are more likely to be affected by it. Panic Disorder This condition is characterized by intense and sudden panic attacks. These panic attacks often occur at night and may even interrupt sleep. Post-traumatic stress disorder Trauma can affect so many areas of your body. Sleep disruption is highly common for those who struggle with PTSD. Because of the fear of having nightmares, it is common with PTSD. Sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, [...]

When reducing anxiety, we need to employ a holistic approach. Diverse strategies are needed to target the physical, mental, and emotional side of our being. Everything is interconnected and when one area is not well, all areas suffer. This is the reason a well-rounded approach works best when tackling issues with stress and anxiety. Anxiety is the feelings you experience as a response to stress or a perceived threat. It can be characterized by excessive worry, sleepless nights, fatigue, irritability, and restlessness. We all experience anxiety from time to time; it is normal. However, when it becomes debilitating and interferes with your day-to-day functioning, you need to take note and take care of yourself. Below are some common self-care strategies you can use to reduce the effects of anxiety. Self-care strategies for reducing anxiety Boundaries. Part of taking care of yourself and reducing anxiety in your life is by having boundaries. Boundaries are simply ways in which you live that give you room to take on only what you have the capacity for and refusing to engage in what you do not have the strength to do. Stress and anxiety are reduced because you are not overwhelmed. It makes room and space for the things that build you up instead. It also avoids over-functioning in relationships. Discipline. A lot of stress and anxiety comes from not being able to manage time wisely and not being disciplined in doing what we are supposed to do. Having a disciplined life means you are not living a life of catching up, but rather managing tasks and responsibilities promptly. This reduces a significant amount of stress and anxiety, leaving you feeling capable, calm, and confident. Healthy diet. We rely on our body to be in good working order for us to thrive. Taking [...]

Constantly being exposed to bad news is not helpful for anyone, especially the subject of the bad news. Set boundaries and concentrate on the specific steps you can take in its place. We are blessed to have the gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ, to offset the negativity that surrounds us. It is up to us to cast aside worry and focus on the kingdom of God, and this article provides a practical guide on how to do deal with anxiety. It seems that history no longer believes in pacing itself. Just as COVID appeared to be finally starting to fade into history, Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine, killing thousands, uprooting millions, and endangering the entire world with his ominous nuclear rhetoric. Of course, we have no idea how any of this will pan out. But there is one thing we can say with certainty: regardless of what happens, the news cycle won’t soon stop inciting fear and containing the existential threat. Therefore, developing the ability to read news responsibly will only become more important for leading a calm and purposeful life. Attention: water is wet. Alarming news is nothing new, but it is undoubtedly novel in how central it has become to many people’s psychological universes. These global dramas begin to feel like life’s center of gravity, with the immediate worlds of family, job, and neighborhood relegated to the periphery due to how digital media operates, as well as because the news developments themselves are legitimately enormous. Just to be clear: world tragedies undoubtedly affect our daily lives – acutely and horrifyingly, no matter where you may live. Climate change is merely the most notable example of how our daily activities have an impact in the opposite direction. But assuming you’re not reading this in [...]