Even when good stress happens in our lives, we can feel anxious. Having jitters, or worries, is a normal part of life. But what happens when we have worry that goes beyond a healthy response to stress?
Sometimes we start to worry too much about things and become hyper-aware of our circumstances to the point that we aren’t aware of much else. We may even become hypervigilant, waiting for the next shoe to drop. We may even feel a sense of danger – as if were being chased by a man-eating bear – and have high levels of arousal in our bodies that we cannot seem to turn off. When feeling increasingly anxious, your body signals the brain and increases adrenalin to help the body prepare for a dangerous situation. It causes the body to go into “fight or flight” mode. Breathing becomes shallow and quickens, heart rate rises, and oxygen rushes to your muscles so you can act and flee the dangerous situation.
Being in a constant state of high alert is not good for our bodies or for our minds. Some people maintain high anxiety levels without being in a life-threatening situation and their bodies are in a constant state of high alert. If this might be you, make a visit to your doctor who will help rule out any physical maladies that may be causing your anxiety. You may be prescribed an anti-anxiety medication to help with some of the uncomfortable feelings associated with a heightened state of arousal. It may also be helpful to seek out the services of a trained mental health counselor to get at the root of your anxiety. Many times, we are unaware of emotional triggers for anxiety when it occurs. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one approach that can help.
