Don’t Be Afraid to Ride the Wave of Anxiety
written by Dr. Liz Matheis, posted on Psychology Today
As a divorcing mom of three and a psychologist who specializes in anxiety, I feel anxious every day. Ironic, right? I don’t feel a high level of anxiety every day all day, but I do feel some level of anxiety about something, and by the end of the day, I am physically and emotionally exhausted. I also sit with and absorb other people’s anxiety, whether they are my patients, my children, my family, or my friends.
When we feel anxious, we often do things to avoid and distract rather than facing what it is that is triggering us or is creating fear, stress, and worry. Many people, adults and children alike, will eat, drink, or engage in self-harm behaviors in order to run away or quiet down their thoughts.
It’s part of our natural instinct to seek pleasure and avoid pain, but with anxiety, engaging in these actions doesn’t make it better or less. In fact, it creates more anxiety that sits, and finds a home, within our bodies. It impacts our mood, decisions, motivation, and our energy, whether we are aware of its impact or not.