Anxiety is a normal part of life. Unlike stress which comes and goes according to what is causing us concern at any stage, anxiety is something which persists whether or not the cause is clear to the sufferer. What is important is to acknowledge that anxiety is normal and that it exists due to a range of bodily functions. We often refer to the “fight or flight” effect and this is what happens when we have a boost of adrenaline which increases our heart rate and increases the amount of oxygen to our limbs, thus equipping us to fight or flight.

Some people have an identifiable cause for their anxiety such as a traumatic incident in their life, the most often quoted being: moving house, getting divorced, dealing with the death of a loved one or going into hospital for major surgery. However, some have no identifiable cause for their anxiety and this causes distress. There are many ways of describing this and I will use the balloon inside the head example. Whatever adds to our stress levels fills up the balloon with more air until it reaches the point where it is about to explode. We need to reduce the air inside the balloon and this is achieved by some form of exercise, relaxation technique be it reading, listening to music or meditation or interacting with friends and family. These positive steps actually manage your anxiety and thus reduce your stress levels.

We may access some form of therapy, whether that involves speaking individually to a professional, joining a self-help group, having some treatment such as acupuncture, cognitive behavioural therapy, hypnotherapy, meditating or yoga or using the internet to find support.