Talking Wellness

with Moira Carmenate

ANXIETY - Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental health month has been around and observed in US every May since 1949 and was originally started by the Mental Health America organization. Every year it focuses on a different theme and this year it is ANXIETY.

Even with several global awareness programmes relating to mental health issues, there is still a stigma associated with mental health and people hesitate to seek help or even talk about it with family and friends for fear of being judged. During Covid, Mental Health America chose “tools 2 thrive” as its theme to help people coping with depression, stress etc. and tried to help people find something to be positive about.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.

Words associated with feelings of anxiety:

Worry Concern Apprehension Unease Fear Agitated Nervous

The opposite would include calmness and serenity.

When you have anxiety, recognizing the symptoms and taking steps to manage the condition before resorting to medical assistance is the first course of action.

Are you anxious? Maybe you’re feeling worried about a problem at home, at work or with friends? In life, everyone experiences anxiety from time to time. For most people, feelings of anxiety come and go, only lasting a short time. Some moments of anxiety last anywhere from a few minutes to a few days.

For some people, these feelings of anxiety are more than just passing worries or a stressful day at work. Your anxiety may not go away for many weeks, months, or years. It can worsen over time, sometimes becoming so severe that it interferes with your daily life.

Symptoms of Anxiety:

Shortness of breath

Panic attacks

Sleeplessness

Withdrawing from social gatherings

Anxiety -v- Fear

Sweating

Digestive disorders

Increased heart rate

Irritability

Weakness Trembling

Fear is an appropriate response to a perceived threat often referred to as the flight or fight response. This means that it is natural to react to a potentially dangerous situation. Where it gets out of control is when you are seeing threats and feeling uneasy about situations that are not putting you in danger.

Fear and anxiety can be differentiated e.g., fear is short lived, present focused, i.e., the danger of the moment and geared towards a specific threat. Anxiety on the other hand is long lasting, promoting excessive caution and interferes with your mechanism to cope constructively.

What Causes Anxiety?

Unfortunately, it is not well understood what causes anxiety and anxiety disorders. For some people, genetics will play a part, for others it may have stemmed from a medical illness where the first signs were physical rather than mental. Traumatic experiences either in the past or more recently can trigger worry and concerns.

When should you see a Doctor?

Treating anxiety and mental health issues is better early on rather waiting until symptoms get worse. It can be difficult to tell when anxiety is a serious medical problem rather than a bad day at the office.

You should visit your doctor if:

• you feel as though you’re worrying so much that it’s interfering with your daily life (including hygiene, school or work, and your social life).

• your anxiety, fear, or worry is distressing to you and hard for you to control.

• you feel depressed, are using alcohol or drugs to cope, or have other mental health concerns as well as anxiety.

• you are experiencing suicidal thoughts.

• you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or are performing suicidal behaviors.

Find the right Professional Help

If your Doctor agrees that “talking therapy” is suitable for you, find the right professional and engage their services and support. Remember dealing with anxiety and anxiety orders takes time and is an ongoing journey. Be patient.

Self-Care

Coping with anxiety is a 24 .7 journey and even if you have a therapist, there are things you can do for yourself to help reduce your anxiety.

Exercise – exercise release endorphins that make you feel good. Get enough sleep.

Get yourself outside.

Healthy diet – focus on what you are consuming and eat for health.

Avoid alcohol and/or drugs. Stop smoking.

Make a daily routine.

Meditate

Read a book.

Keep a diary of how you are feeling and any triggers. Reach out to people.

Talk – don’t keep things inside

Remember there is always someone worse off than you. Find something to be grateful for and remind yourself daily that you are in a good place and deserve the best.

The region of Aragón, although quite small, played a major part in the drive to restore Iberia to Christian control. The earliest battle to displace the Muslim invaders was won by the Visigoth king Pelagius (More commonly known in Spain as Pelayus) at the battle of Covadonga. A battle which was fought amongst the stunningly beautiful mountains of the Picos de Europa. Successive victories for Pelayo meant that, somewhat uniquely in Spain, Aragón were never again to suffer the Moorish domination that persisted in much of Spain for up to another 700 years. It is fitting therefore that by the fifteenth century, it was King Alfonso II from Aragón who joined forces with Isobel the catholic of Castilla following their dynastic marriage in 1469 to finally end Moorish rule in Spain at Granada in the year1492.

The city Zaragoza, has grown to become the thriving capital city of Aragón. Situated halfway between Madrid and Barcelona, the city has developed a buzzing economy Popular as an attractive tourist destination, with a lively and vibrant street culture and enjoying all the facilities that you would expect in a major city, they also have the added bonus of being associated with the internationally famous Rioja wine producing industry with many different types of grapes grown in the surrounding fields.

On the banks of the river Ebro which flows through the city from Cantabria on its journey to meet the sea at Tarragona, you find many of the magnificent centuries old buildings that make this city such a pleasure to visit. Mini cruises, canoes, and rowing boats full of happy visitors float effortlessly across the calm waters of the river. Tall ornate buildings line the banks of the river, throwing mirror images across the water. Buildings like the stunningly eye-catching Basilica de nuestra Senora de Pilar. A building with an equally ornate interior. Nearby are the wonderfully sturdy walls of the Aljaferia Palace. A Magnificent tribute to the skill and ingenuity and skill of 11th century inhabitants of this imaginative city. A fabulous building with lots of interesting stories attached to it. If you like diversity, how about the Cathedral de San Salvador which offers Moorish, Romanesque and Neoclassical architecture. This is a city that gives you everything. Wide open cafe filled squares. Ideal for people watching. Beautifully constructed buildings with lovely exterior and interior finishes. Attractive gardens. Good shopping, if that is your thing. Or you can do it the lazy way by taking to the water. Or use a hop on hop off the city tourist bus.

We are not finished yet though. Just over an hour's drive away from Zaragoza is the most delightful 800 year old Monastery de Piedra. An awe inspiring monastery, situated in an oasis of quite magical gardens. A wonderful selection of green broad leaved trees, tropical plants, racing silver streams, cascading waterfalls. You can even go behind one of these to view the world from the other side. In this beautiful place it would be hard not to feel a sense of peace and contentment rushing over you. But just in case that doesn't work we will also on this day out take you for lunch at the monastery restaurant.

Finally, Belchite. A reminder of some of Spain's darkest days. Belchite is a timely reminder of the futility of war. Hosting as it did, a battle during the civil war which led to the destruction of the town and 5,000 deaths. A sobering but interesting visit. For this one a local guide will be on hand to help us understand the enormity of what happened there.

This is a varied and extremely interesting visit to one of the less visited regions of Spain which is offered by David's Coachtrips.

Based in a centrally located city centre hotel. 249€ pp Regime (B&B). 4*

Excursions included.

Dates 4 days 29 May- 1 June and 2nd -5th Oct.