Anxiety in Young People
Anxiety is difficult for anyone to deal with but add in the whirlwind of changes that come alongside your teenage years, and the unwanted guest (anxiety) might have your mind feeling very overwhelmed and uneasy, we definitely want this guest to leave.
It’s a must to figure out the tell-tale signs of where your anxiety has come from, once you have this figured out your anxiety will start to decrease in power. You’ve solved the mystery and your anxiety will start to lose the power that comes from its mystery and its unpredictability.
So, what is anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.
Signs of Anxiety
Here are some of the common signs of anxiety in teenagers. If you have some of these, it doesn’t necessarily mean that teenage anxiety is a problem for you, remember that something is only a problem if it’s causing you problems.
This list is a way to understand these things that feel as though they’re getting in your way, but if you experience any of these signs and you’re doing just fine, then you have nothing to worry about at all!
Thoughts
Negative thoughts - what-ifs, fearful thoughts of being judged or embarrassed, little thoughts that grow into big worries.
Immoderate thoughts about physical symptoms (that cut will become infected, that headache could be brain cancer etc…)
Feelings
Fearful, worried, overwhelmed, out of control.
Fear, as though something bad is going to happen.
Panic that appears to come from nowhere.
Depersonalisation - feeling separate to your physical self or your surroundings.
Physically
Racing heart.
Tightening in the chest
Butterflies.
Tense muscles.
Shaking hands.
Feeling as though you’re going to vomit.
Dizzy or light-headed.
Feeling as though you want to burst into tears.
Feeling angry.
These symptoms occur because of the surge of neurochemicals that happen when your body is in fight or flight mode. They can feel scary, however they are all a very normal part of the way your brain and body protect you from possible danger.
Everything your body feels when you have anxiety is to do with your body preparing to fight or flee, when really you don’t need to do either. Everything’s okay – there are steps you can take to manage this. Let’s talk about that …
Your brain is like any other muscle in your body - it gets stronger with practise.
Exercise - The effects of exercise on mental health are proven and work wonders.
Research proves that the positive effects of exercise on anxiety could probably cover a small planet, or, you know, a very big building. The point is that there’s tons of it!
Breathe - Breathing is the switch that will activate the relaxation response and start to fight off the symptoms of anxiety. Breathe in through your nose for 3 seconds, hold for 1 second and then out through your mouth for 3 seconds.
When your anxiety peaks, the brain is too busy and active with other thoughts to remember to do strong deep breathing. To make strong deep breathing easier for your brain to access, practice it a couple of times a day when you’re calm. Even make it part of your daily routine!
Mindfulness - Mindfulness changes the brain the way exercise changes our body – minus the sweating and panting.
Mindfulness changes the brain for the better by teaching the brain to stay in the present. Anxiety is driven by a brain that has been cast into the future. Thoughts start out as ‘what ifs’ and turn into persuasive little beasts that won’t let go. Mindfulness helps to keep control over your brain so you can stop it from worrying about things it doesn’t need to.
Loving Yourself - Love yourself that little bit louder. During your teenage years you’re at a point in your life where the world is opening up to you and things are still new to you. It’s a world that needs your intelligence, your courage and your interesting and very wonderful take on things, the world needs you.
Anxiety has a way of putting the focus on the negative aspects of ourselves way too often, but the things about ourselves that we would like to change often have great strengths built into them. Obviously, you would prefer not to have anxiety, but there are way more strengths than weaknesses in you. Spend plenty of time noticing them.
For further help with managing your anxiety, book a session today. Please head to: https://www.zenlifewellbeing.com for extra help on managing your anxiety.