Gaining Ground on Worry and Anxiety
by Heather Logsdon. M.Ed MFT Registered Intern
Forward by Frances J. Harvey, Office Manager
It’s seems as though everyone is touched by the subject of worry and anxiety at some point in their lives. Some are temporary, while others are chronic and can actually take over ones life to the point of not functioning in the basic daily tasks of life. Our therapist, Heather Logsdon, M.Ed, registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern has approached this very topic with very real and practical ways to help reduce the worry and anxiety in your life.
Heather is available to see clients in the Chino Hills and Rancho Cucamonga areas. Call our office TODAY and ask to schedule an appointment with Heather. If you are not close to these areas, we have over 30 locations throughout Southern California. You can check out our website at www.TurningPointCounseling.org and click on locations or call 1-800-998-6329.
Gaining Ground on Worry and Anxiety
by Heather Logsdon, M.Ed
Registered MFT intern
DEFINING THE PROBLEM
Worry has been defined as resulting from a heightened sense of vulnerability along with a diminished sense of power (Hallowell, 1997).
Certainly in this distressful economic climate, many of us can identify with this. Add every day stressors, along with other situations that feel out of our control (illnesses, difficult relationships, etc.), and worry can quickly consume us. For many individuals, this worry is situational and will subside as our trials get resolved.
Many others, however, suffer from chronic worry and anxiety. When people tell them to just relax, they try and fail, causing them to feel even worse about themselves. They cannot turn the worry off because their brains need to actually re-learn how to be calm- they can’t just flip a switch and make it happen.
SO, WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?
If you find yourself in either category, there’s good news! There are many things you can do to help you keep your cool in trying times, as well as to help your brain rewire itself toward a calmer future. Ironically, a critically important first step is to acknowledge and accept that there are many things beyond your control.
To help yourself with this, take some time to explore your expectations of life. If an honest assessment reveals that you feel things should be easy, or go your way most of the time, your expectations may just be unrealistic. To combat unrealistic expectations that can encourage a false sense of control; it helps to think more intentionally about what IS going well for you! Do this often!! If you do this, you will notice over time that you will be thankful for what you can control. Therefore, you will focus your energy on those things, rather than on being worried about what you can’t change.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virture and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things." Philippians 4: 6 - 8
WORRY IS NOT JUST A MENTAL BATTLE, BUT ALSO A PHYSICAL ONE
It’s very important to attend to your physical health in times of stress!
- First of all, make sure you are breathing sufficiently- slowly and deeply. Practice your breathing for a few minutes each day.
- Next, make sure you are eating nutritiously.
- A good night’s sleep is imperative, but often eludes those struggling with anxiety. To help with this, try to have a bedtime ritual or routine made up of non-stimulating activities. Have a notepad and paper by your bed so you can write your worries down when, and if, they wake you up. Don’t hesitate to see your physician if sleep continues to be a problem- you need to make sure there’s not an underlying physical cause.
- Regular exercise, which can be as simple as walking a few minutes a day, is extremely important to your physical and emotional health. In addition to exercise, relaxation techniques can also be very helpful in quieting a worried mind and tense body.
- Reach out to friends and family, and try to find ways to help others who are also hurting.
- Last, but certainly not least, know that you are personally loved and cared for by God! The Scriptures read (I John 3:1), “How great is the love the Father has lavished on you…”
If you have been suffering from anxiety, a professional therapist can help you explore the issues behind it, and assist you in putting together a plan to reclaim your peace of mind.
Cast all your anxiety on him, for he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7
Heather is available to see clients in the Chino or Rancho Cucamonga areas. Please call 800-998-6329 and ask to schedule an appointment with Heather today. We have over 30 locations in southern California if you are not in these areas. You can also visit our website at www.TurningPointCounseling.org
Turning Point Counseling offers tender loving help for grieving and healing from serious emotional wounds
