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Anxiety

Anxiety is an emotion characterised by an unpleasant state of inner turmoil, often accompanied by nervous behaviour like pacing, somatic complaints, and rumination. It typically involves feelings of apprehension about future events, marked by “what-if” worries. While it can present with physical symptoms such as muscle tension, heart palpitations, sweating, dizziness, and shortness of breath, and emotional symptoms like restlessness or a sense of impending doom, anxiety is a natural and essential human experience. It serves a vital function by helping us to look ahead, organise ourselves, and gather the energy needed to get things done.

The main strategies for helping to relieve anxiety often involve changing one’s relationship with it rather than trying to eliminate it completely:

  • Mindfulness and Acceptance: This approach encourages facing anxiety, rather than avoiding or controlling it, by paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Techniques include deep, belly breathing to instantly calm the brain and body, observing thoughts without getting caught in their content, and willingness to experience anxious feelings as they are.
  • Lifestyle Adjustments: Regular physical exercise can significantly reduce anxiety by improving blood flow and balancing hormones. Ensuring adequate sleep is also crucial, as lack of it can exacerbate anxiety. A balanced diet, avoiding stimulants like caffeine and refined sugars, and focusing on complex carbohydrates, can also promote calmer moods.
  • Cognitive Strategies: This involves challenging anxious thoughts by questioning their validity and reframing negative interpretations of situations. Identifying specific triggers that provoke anxiety is a key step. Sometimes, simply writing down worries can help to gain clarity and reduce their power.
  • Behavioural Exposure: Gradually facing feared situations or internal sensations teaches the brain that these are not dangerous, which can reduce the anxiety response over time. This builds confidence and tolerance for discomfort.
  • Havening Techniques: These involve applying gentle self-touch (to the arms, face, or hands) while recalling a distressing memory or feeling. This touch, combined with distractions like counting or humming, can help to reduce distress and build resilience.

How NLP for anxiety can help You.

NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) offers a unique approach to managing anxiety, focusing on changing thought patterns and behaviours to help individuals regain control and improve their lives. Here’s a breakdown of how NLP can help, what to expect, and how it differs from traditional therapies. How NLP for Anxiety can help Focus on the “How,” Not… Read More »How NLP for anxiety can help You.

ACT for anxiety

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a unique approach to therapy that aims to help people struggling with anxiety by encouraging them to accept their thoughts and feelings while also committing to actions that align with their values. It’s a shift away from traditional methods that focus on controlling or reducing anxiety. ACT is considered… Read More »ACT for anxiety

What amygdala anxiety is.

Amygdala-based anxiety refers to anxiety that originates in the amygdala, a part of the brain that processes emotions, particularly fear. The amygdala is responsible for attaching emotional significance to situations or objects and forming emotional memories, which can be positive or negative. In the case of anxiety, the amygdala can create anxiety-producing memories that trigger… Read More »What amygdala anxiety is.

what is havening techniques

Havening Techniques® are a psychosensory treatment that uses touch to help with a variety of emotional and mental health issues. The techniques are rooted in neuroscience and are designed to be a gentle and effective self-help tool. How Havening Works: Havening uses a soothing touch, typically on the upper arms, palms, and around the eyes,… Read More »what is havening techniques

Stress and Anxiety Coaching

Stress and anxiety are closely intertwined. Stress is your body’s natural response to any demand placed upon it. It can be caused by both positive and negative experiences. Anxiety, on the other hand, is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. While stress is… Read More »Stress and Anxiety Coaching

Why There are Specialist Therapists for Anxiety

Therapists play a vital role in helping clients overcome anxiety and return to a fulfilling life by addressing the root causes of anxiety, teaching coping mechanisms, and promoting a sense of well-being. They employ various approaches tailored to the individual client’s needs, focusing on building resilience and encouraging positive change. Here’s a detailed explanation of… Read More »Why There are Specialist Therapists for Anxiety

Working with an Anxiety Therapist

When working with a therapist for anxiety, you can expect a variety of approaches and techniques depending on their training and therapeutic orientation. Here’s what you might encounter: Initial Assessment and Goal Setting: Your therapist will likely begin by discussing your anxiety, its impact on your life, and your goals for therapy. Your anxiety therapist… Read More »Working with an Anxiety Therapist

What is Havening?

What is Havening? Havening is a psychosensory therapy developed by Dr. Ronald Ruden and his brother Dr. Steven Ruden. It is a set of techniques that leverage touch, attention, and positive visualisation to relieve emotional distress and promote healing, particularly for trauma, anxiety, and stress. It is based on the idea that the body is… Read More »What is Havening?

Key Differences Between Coaching and Conventional Therapy for Anxiety

Here are some key distinctions, keeping in mind that specific coaching approaches may vary: Focus: Traditional therapy often examines past experiences and underlying causes of anxiety to achieve symptom reduction. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), for example, seeks to identify and challenge negative thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to anxiety. SFBT, on the other hand,… Read More »Key Differences Between Coaching and Conventional Therapy for Anxiety

Understanding the Stress-Anxiety Relationship

There is  a strong connection between stress and anxiety,  both anxiety and fear are natural human responses, often triggered by perceived threats or dangers. Anxiety, however, is future-oriented, stemming from anticipation of potential threats and often leading to worry, while fear is a response to a present and immediate danger. The body’s stress response is… Read More »Understanding the Stress-Anxiety Relationship

Different Approaches: The Medical Model vs. Solution-Focused Therapy

Over the past 2-3 decades how people with mental health issues can be helped has been significantly changed. It is only with the better research methods, and better understandings of how the brain and mind work, that have allowed professionals to develop and grow new approaches to helping people with mental health, and here in… Read More »Different Approaches: The Medical Model vs. Solution-Focused Therapy

What are Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety gave your ancient ancestors a survival advantage. The ability to predict problems, and take steps to prevent them happening, is a product of evolution. It once made the difference between life and death. When the stakes are this high, then these thoughts naturally have emotions attached to them. An anxiety disorder is where the… Read More »What are Anxiety Disorders?