Anxiety Coping Skills: How to Calm Your Mind

Key takeaways

• Learning to Peacefully Co-Exist with Anxiety

• Anxiety and Strokes

• Getting Back to What’s Familiar

• Is Emotional Eating a Sign of Anxiety?

• Calli Institute’s Crash Course in College

• Feeling Isolated? How Telehealth Can Help You Through COVID-19

Learning to Peacefully Co-Exist with Anxiety

Do you feel as if situations and people around you are growing more and more anxious? You are not alone. According to the American Psychological Association’s Journal of Personality and Social Study , anxiety has increased dramatically since the 1950’s . It has increased so much so, that the average high school student’s anxiety is equal to that of the average psychiatric patient in the early 1950’s.

Today, anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health concern in the U.S., impacting over 40 million adults and 25% of children (ages 13-18) . According to that same study, while anxiety disorders are thought to be highly treatable, fewer than 40% of those suffering ever receive treatment. In children, untreated anxiety disorders are at higher risk to struggle in school, neglect important social experiences, and engage in substance abuse. In adults, untreated anxiety has been linked to depression, lack of healthy relationships, and chronic physical illness .

Anxiety and Strokes

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh came out with a study that established a connection with high levels of anxiety and stroke. The study, published in the journal Stroke evaluated more than 6,000 participants and found those with high levels of anxiety are more than 33% likely to suffer a stroke. The study was co-authored with the Harvard School of Public Health. How much more evidence before we realize that we need to learn how to get back to basics? Anxiety and depression are seen more frequently as presenting problems in the primary care office.

Some ER visits are fueled by someone believing that they are having a heart attack or stroke when it is anxiety. We have to learn how to take better care of ourselves. It is vital that we start listening to our bodies and taking better care of the one we have. Striking a balance of work with family, recreation, proper rest should not be something that a doctor or therapist suggest that we do. It needs to be something we want to do. Stress is inevitable. Dying from it doesn’t have to be.

Getting Back to What’s Familiar

Seems easy to fall back into a routine, doesn’t it? Most of the time, yes. But when you’ve spent more than a year living through a global pandemic, those once-regular habits seem like anything but. However, with time, patience, and some helpful advice, we can all start getting back to what’s familiar.

You’re in Control Many are ready to get back to the pre-pandemic activities they remember and enjoyed. But for others, jumping back into what was once considered normal can seem overwhelming. This is especially true because so many of us have been out of practice for so long regarding simple things like friendly conversation or social interaction.

Is Emotional Eating a Sign of Anxiety?

After all, the holidays are packed with family gatherings, the annual office holiday party, and hours spent baking your favorite sugar-filled recipes. It’s hard to resist such temptations. The holidays, however, can also create added anxiety. From getting the perfect tree and decorating the home to shopping for everyone on your list without accumulating more debt, this time of year is wonderfully joyous, yet increasingly stressful for many.

According to Harvard Health Publishing , when stress persists over a period of time, our bodies release a hormone called cortisol. This hormone increases our appetites and heightens our motivation—which in this case means our motivation to overeat.

Calli Institute’s Crash Course in College

If you have an entire dorm room full of stuff ordered from Bed, Bath, and Beyond, know which textbooks need to be picked up on campus, and have been diligently exploring your new college class’ group on Facebook, this post is dedicated to you.

Whether you are going to a school in your same city, or going as far away from your hometown as possible, some things about the college experience are universal. You’ve heard from friends or family about the nostalgia of their, “college years.” You’ve seen movies depicting stereotypical experiences, such as “Pledging vs. Academics,” or the rigors of being a college athlete. You’ve also probably done your own research on what to expect, hidden gems around the campus, or what clubs you want to join, and are praying that your roommate isn’t absolutely insufferable.

Feeling Isolated? How Telehealth Can Help You Through COVID-19

Social distancing has proven to be both beneficial and effective in protecting ourselves and our loved ones from the Coronavirus (COVID-19). But that does come at a steep price. For many, the idea of staying in and working from home sounds appealing at first. Over time, however, the practice of limiting your social/physical interactions with family, friends, or colleagues can start to take an emotional toll on your mental health and wellness.

Today, many people feel isolated from the outside world, causing feelings of anxiety, depression, and even anger. And the uncertainties of the road ahead can certainly cause us all to appear more irritable and impatient, due to our fear of the unknown.

When to reach out

If symptoms are affecting relationships, work, school, sleep, or daily routines, professional support can help you sort through what is happening and choose a realistic next step.

MHCS provides therapy and mental health support for individuals, couples, families, teens, and adults.