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Anxiety

What is Anxiety? 

You might feel nervous, stressed, anxious or ‘on edge’ when you are getting ready to do something that is difficult for you. You might notice your heart is beating more quickly, you feel a bit sick and dizzy, or your legs feel weak.

 

Everyone gets anxious now and then – anxiety is your brain giving you a message that you are not safe. This can be helpful when you need to get out of danger or when you need to perform really well at something. In fact, a little bit of anxiety can help you to succeed in a test, sports match, or a singing performance.

 

The problem is when our brain thinks we are in danger when we are actually okay and is known as a “fight or flight” response. Anxiety starts to become a problem if it affects your ability to live your life as you want to, if the feelings of anxiety are strong or last a long time, if they are hard to control or if they are out of proportion to the situation.

 

Anxiety can affect you quite differently, depending on what you worry about. If you worry about getting ill you might find that you check your body for signs that you are unwell, or pay close attention to sensations in your body. If you worry about what other people think about you, you might find you try to stay away from social situations, or plan out things to say. You might be scared of a type of animal, or of being sick. You might worry about lots of different things, and even worry about worrying!

 

A panic attack is what we call a sudden feeling of anxiety that causes strong physical symptoms. Panic attacks can be scary but can’t cause you any physical harm.

 

 

Top tips for managing anxiety

  1. Talk to someone and share your worries
  2. Use breathing strategies and relaxation
  3. Have a conversation with your anxious thoughts – is your brain thinking that you’re in danger when you might be safe?
  4. Face your fears
  5. Be kind to yourself
  6. Don’t try to be perfect.

 

If you are feeling anxious all the time and it is starting to affect your daily life, talk to someone you trust and ask for help.

 

– Nadiya Hussain faces anxiety

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