What is Anxiety?

What is anxiety?

What is anxiety?

I know what it feel like in my body. A dull fluttering in my abdomen, sweaty palms,  heart beating heavier and thoughts whirring . All these symptoms try to convince us that anxiety is a thing, something that is real and powerful, but we cant see , hear or smell it. It remains an uncomfortable feeling that is accompanied by thoughts of  inadequacy, like at an interview for a new job “ Will they ask me something I don’t know the answer to?’   Will they like me?   What if I make a fool of myself?

These thoughts can be so debilitating, we clam up and then berate ourselves afterwards for not doing our best.

it’s a double whammy. Tension before the interview and giving ourselves a hard time after.

When reviewing the above, it feels like anxiety is the end product of thoughts. Thoughts that are unhelpful and debilitating. So where do they come from?

Perhaps it’s easier to see where they don’t come from. The more I sit with this, the more apparent it becomes that those unhelpful thoughts don’t come from a self loving and supporting part of us. We often rule out self care when life gets busy or demanding. Why is it that when we need it most  we often turn to less than supportive ways to help ourselves through anxious times? “It’s been a hard demanding week at work I need a drink” or several , which in turn, leaves us feeling tired and needing time to get over the drinking . This gives less time for more positive ways of looking after and supporting  ourselves during trying times

However, when we can settle,  perhaps breath gently or go for a quiet walk our heart  slows and begins to confirm and supports us. Our feelings of settlement and feet on the ground , calmly observing from our body , rather from our head and racing heart allows us to take on any challenges in a strong, capable way .Listening to our body feels a much more positive way to be than listening to the voices that make us feel less .

When listening  to and feeling our body,   we become aware of moving gently throughout the day. Things flow. There’s pleasure in accepting new challenges, not overwhelm. We confidently ask for support, without feeling it lessens us or  that we will be judged.  Without anxiety, we are able to stop worrying about what others may think or say about us. This is hugely liberating. When we stop listening to the niggly little voices, that constantly tell us we are less than the awesome, capable people we are, there is space. Space to expand and  feel our  powerful presence on this earth.  Open, and able to experience how our actions, thoughts and deeds can support others. Walking confidently and lovingly,  feet on the ground , walking our amazingness. Anxiety is banished as we feel the strong , confirming glow of our steadfast movements.

Author Sam Rossiter