Health Anxiety: Managing Anxiety

Whether you have diagnosed anxiety or not, the current economic climate has led to increasing levels of stress and worry which can impact mental health. Furthermore, the stress can lead to increased panic attacks, and OCD symptoms may intensify 5% of the population suffer from diagnosed health anxiety, while at least 10% have some form of clinical anxiety. However, anxiety levels for everyone can increase during high-stress situations.

The Negative Effects Of Health Anxiety

When we suffer from stress and health anxiety, then our bodies have two natural responses.

Irrational decision-making

High levels of stress affect our parasympathetic system. This can influence our usually logical approach to decision-making. Typically, in times of stress, we favour reward-centred decisions. This could be turning to comfort food, drinking, overspending or other vices. These reward-focused activities may seem to help our wellbeing in the immediacy but often has a negative effect in the long term.

Stress can also make us more likely to choose high-risk, high-payoff options. This means we may choose to put our health at risk, rather than selecting the most sensible options to look after ourselves.

Reduced immune system effectiveness

Stress and anxiety cause the stress hormone corticosteroid to rise. In turn, this hormone lowers the number of lymphocytes in the immune system, which can suppress its effectiveness to combat illnesses.

During times of health concerns, it is vital to boost immune functionality as much as possible. Consequently, managing your stress, where possible, is important to keep your body healthy.

Reduce News Exposure and Social Media

Anxiety is contagious and the more you expose yourself to other people’s concerns will increase your stress. While it is important to stay in the loop; you do not have to be glued to the web for advice. There are lots of fake news and opinions out there that can increase your anxieties. Instead, try to pick just one or two trusted sources and limit the time you look at them, to no more than three times a day.

Sleep

Getting good quality sleep can help to improve your mood, reduce anxiety and boost your immune system too. Turn off devices at least an hour before bed and indulge in a relaxing bedtime winddown routine. From a warm bath, gentle stretching, meditation and reading a good book, preparing yourself for sleep can help to ensure you can fall asleep in good time and give your body the rest it deserves.

Breathing Exercises

Deep and relaxed breathing can help to slow down the sympathetic nervous system. This is where our flight or fight response comes from, which can heighten anxiety. Furthermore, deep breathing can also help to engage the parasympathetic nervous system. This will allow you to experience a sense of calm, focus and positive, rational decision-making.

Hypnotherapy and Anxiety

Hypnotherapy for anxiety works by effectively re-setting your anxiety level to ‘healthy’. It clears your subconscious of the negative and unhealthy beliefs that drive your anxiety. With our tailored Hypnotherapy sessions, you will learn to respond to life without becoming anxious. You'll regulate your emotions more effectively so that you remain relaxed in situations that would typically trigger your anxiety attacks. Hypnotherapy helps your mind to relax and will help you to regain confidence, enthusiasm, and motivation in your daily life.

It is important to remember that anxiety attacks are based on a particular mental state and can be treated with different forms of cognitive or behavioural therapies. Using hypnotherapy and a variety of therapeutic techniques combines psychotherapy with hypnotherapy. This form of therapy allows clients to release emotions in a supportive environment, enabling each client to move forward without carrying the burden of past anxiety.

Focus On Your Needs

During periods of stress, you must be aware of your own needs and feelings so that you can look after your wellbeing. Maintaining healthy activities that you enjoy is crucial, which can help release feel-good endorphins. Take time to relax and keep your usual routines as much as possible with sleep, exercise and healthy eating.