Do I have anxiety?

Anxiety is a natural human behavior to deal with stressful situations.

We become tense with worry and negative thoughts, and when we do not control we can have a panic attack.

Anxiety is a natural behavior of the human being to stress, we are tense worried and with negative thoughts. The right dose is healthy, because it helps us finish projects, make plans for the future and achieve our goals.
But sometimes when it is in excess it makes us think that we have to stop, take a deep breath, and assess our emotions. The main cause of anxiety is excessive concern for the future, it is as if our body is constantly alert to a danger that does not exist.

Am I anxious?

Most of us are anxious in certain situations, and when we are unable to control, or when the anxiety is moderate or severe, some emotional symptoms may appear, such as: sadness, nervousness and irritability. Some physiological symptoms may also appear, such as an accelerated heartbeat, a tingling sensation, shortness of breath and sweating, dizziness, headache, muscle pain and insomnia. The most alarming symptoms are related to impulsivity, aggression and accelerated speech.

Often these symptoms go unnoticed and we need to be mindful to identify some of the consequences like difficulty concentrating, making decisions, and excessive worries.

Main consequences of anxiety

Anxiety can have a number of consequences for our social, professional, and even to our body.

Conjugal and family relationships can be affected by the way we show our emotions.

Professional or academic performance can also be affected because we lose the ability to concentrate, interpretation and memory.

Some people concerned with appearance, may have eating disorders with extreme reduction in food intake and concern about weight, and still others, eat excessively leading to weight gain or obesity.

The most serious form of anxiety can generate erectile dysfunction, because we are unable to control our emotions and we are overly concerned.

Insomnia is also common, due to the feeling of constant worry that makes it difficult to profound sleep.

How can I control anxiety?

The good news is that there are several ways to control anxiety, all you need to do is introduce some healthy habits into your daily routine.

• Physical exercise: a walk for 30 minutes every day increases serotonin substance that gives the feeling of well-being.
• Reduce daily stress: stay focused on the present, be more organized and learn to say no to commitments you won't be able to keep.
• Breathing control: breathing control by exercising such as mindfulness, yoga and meditation, helps to control emotions and reduce the speed of thoughts.
• Develop congruence: sometimes we think in one way, we act in another, we speak yet another thing which makes us anxious.
• Healthy diet and daytime sleep: eat too many fruits and vegetables every day, drink water and sleep 8 hours a day.
• Take care of yourself: have moments with yourself over tea, get to know yourself better, have positive thoughts and think about what you like. Socialize, conversations and laughter make us feel more positive about life.

If you are unable to control anxiety with these measures, it is recommended to seek medical help.