Anxiety Talks

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By local resident Shannon Randall

For people who don’t suffer from anxiety, it can easily be brushed off as simple worrying but anxiety has real physical and mental effects that can be frightening to say the least.

I was convinced I was dying when I first experienced it! My chest was tight and breathing was a struggle which made it hard to sleep, eat or exercise. I was constantly struggling , which COVID surely didn’t help.

I must have rung the doctors three or four times and every time I heard the same thing; “It’s anxiety.” It’s not that I didn’t believe them, I did. I was just convinced there was something more because anxiety can’t surely do this much damage? Anxiety surely can’t physically affect me this much? Well, turns out, that is exactly what anxiety can do. The tight chest, pins and needles in my fingers, the aching back and shoulders…

Tips and Tricks 1) A useful and yet frustrating piece of advice is, ‘just breath’. Breathing in the right way can do wonders. Breathe in. Breathe out. Release the tension in your body one limb at a time. Relax your body. No, this isn’t a magic fix but in the moment it can help to relax you. Years of withheld stress isn’t going to magically disappear overnight. 2) Writing down my thoughts and feelings as well as a plan for each day helped dramatically! Like a diary, but specifically for day to day emotions and mental state. This can be oddly therapeutic. Therapy itself is also a great help for some people.

Especially if you’re in my position and suffer from health anxiety in the middle of a pandemic! Having a designated person to spill all your thoughts and feelings to and help change your negative thought patterns without judgement? Perfect.

3) Restrict your social media intake! Cutting down on screen time in general is always a good thing. When you’re on your phone you are sat in one non-moving position, eyes staring unblinking at a bright blue screen. How do you expect to relax like that? Not to mention the effect social media has on you mentally. I read a quote on Duolingo that said, “15 minutes a day on Duolingo can teach you a language, what does 15 minutes a day of social media do to you?”

4) Also a final note to say that taking anxiety medication doesn’t mean you are weak! Medication saves lives and you shouldn’t be ashamed to take advantage of it.

Resources northkentmind.co.uk (01322 291380) www.counselling-directory.org.uk/ dartfordandkent www.insighthealthcare.org/talkingtherapies/kent www.oasiscounsellingservices.co.uk (01322 294430)