Thinking Traps: Part 3
Welcome back to Part 3 of our Anxiety Series. Today we are going to talk about managing anxiety. We have many topics that you can peruse through our blog section. Feel free to take a look when you have a moment!
We are in a world involving many stressors – financially, politically, and relationally. Inflation is up, we are amidst a housing crisis, people are having difficulties at work, stresses at home or having challenges co-existing with your roommate. A world that lacks consistency and predictability leaves us with so many unknowns. These days, it seems like so many people are dealing with anxiety. It never feels comfortable to be in this kind of state.
Statistics Canada has shown that the prevalence of anxiety-related disorders doubled from 2.6% to 5.2% between 2012 and 2022. It’s clear by these statistics and the needs we see within our clinic that anxiety is more common than ever before. Feelings of anxiety are normal but when these feelings become excessive the worry can interfere with our day-to-day functioning.
Let’s discuss a few of the many ways an individual can self-soothe during anxious moments:
At Work: Self-care does not have to be a lengthy activity! Take some time to do a quick breathing exercise, find a moment to be mindful while you’re enjoying a cozy warm drink or cold soda, or use your five senses to ground yourself before a stressful activity. We can also converse with our colleagues about anxiety. If you work with a team, it can be very freeing to talk with someone who may have a shared experience with you.
At Home: Home is meant to be your cozy corner! Try finding ways to make your environment as comforting as possible. This may include creating a dedicated area for you to engage in meaningful activities or hobbies, decorating with items that provide you with a sense of comfort and calm, or even having plants throughout your home (as gardening has been shown to be an excellent grounding activity). If you’re into research, check out Harlow & Zimmerman’s research on contact comfort, which illustrates the importance of a newborn finding comfort using soft textiles within their environment.
These are just a few of the many secondary interventions of how we can deal with anxiety. We can often use objects or thinking that can be applied within our own and immediate environments. It is important to balance your life with things that can give you certainty amongst all the uncertainty we may face.
Check out this article for a few examples of breathing exercises that can help with anxiety:
8 Breathing Exercises for Anxiety You Can Try Right Now (healthline.com)
Please reach out to us at Center Street Psychology if you would like to discuss more about our services and to reach out for anxiety support. We provide a collaborative approach and are happy to provide you with a complimentary consultation to help potential “fit” with one of our counsellors. We are an inclusive clinic, located in Calgary, Alberta, providing in-person, virtual or hybrid services within Alberta and across Canada. Please call 403-399-5120 to speak with our Director of Client Care, Amy, who will gently guide you through the counselling process.
Written by: Tyler Schamehorn
