Anxiety
We live in the age of anxiety. More people suffer from anxiety today than ever. In the pandemic, our mental health took a beating. Anxiety is not totally unjustified in the unstable world we live in.
Institutions fail
Many of the institutions we used to rely on for support have failed us. Governments have let us down as politicians seek only power. Schools are becoming political battlegrounds rather than places of education. Churches build fortifications as they battle for relevance. News media forget about facts and become partisan programs. Entertainment valorizes villains. Families have shrunk and splintered. The institutions that used to provide a sense of security are crumbling.
Anxiety and depression
Add in a global pandemic, and anxiety spreads like a plague and brings its dark cousin depression. Anxiety and depression are linked. One often triggers the other. Half of the people with depression also have anxiety. Some think they have the same underlying cause and are different ways of showing symptoms
Solutions
Medications
There are some medications that can help both anxiety and depression. And they do help people. But like all drugs, these medications come with side effects, some severe. And often they work less and less effectively over time. Often these are the only solution provided by the health system. If you are taking medications, look for broader solutions together with your doctor.
Exercise
Exercise has not only physical benefits but mental health benefits. Exercise has a strong link to lower anxiety and depression. Regular exercise is a key part of a good mental health routine.
Eat well
Avoid caffeine. Caffeine makes anxiety worse. Eating whole foods with lots of fibre can help with anxiety. Avoid packaged foods. Guard against using food and drink to ease anxiety. Alcohol is especially dangerous when used to soothe distress. Misusing alcohol is a dangerous road. Seek help if you see yourself slipping into this.
Regular sleep
Sleep is critical for everyone’s mental health, even more so for those struggling with anxiety or depression. Make sleep a priority. See the Sleep article in this issue for tips.
Talk
Stuck in our minds, our self-talk goes off the rails. With our thoughts, we build a world in our minds. This self-made world can tangle us up. Getting our anxieties out of our minds and into words can bring them into perspective. Talk with trusted friends or family members. If you need a professional, seek one out. It’s worth it.
Put people first
No one can survive alone, but so often, when under pressure, we isolate ourselves. Don’t. Connect with the people in your life. Spend time building those connections. All relationships are hard work. When people are involved, things get messy. Sort through the mess to build those friendships. Other people are invaluable for your own mental health.
Seek new people
Seek new relationships. Is there a community group in your neighbourhood that you can join? A religious gathering can be a great way to make new connections. Or join a service organization. Perhaps you want to start a monthly get-together with your neighbours. Continually make new connections.
Give up
We need to learn to live without control. It’s not that we give up control. We need to give up the illusion of control. Live a good life and don’t worry about how things land. There is an order to the universe that we can’t always see. Where we see chaos and crisis, opportunity lies waiting. Put your life in the hands of the Higher Power, and believe good will come to you.
Reality
There are good reasons to be anxious. Our world is unravelling, and communities of support are evaporating. Everyone experiences hard times. Our lives can’t always be full of happiness, but they can be full of love. Pour love into the people around you. Love drives out fear.
