Anxiety: A Logical Approach to Our Alarm System
When I work with people with anxiety, I use logic as a way to combat it. Anxiety is a familiar companion to many of us, often perceived as an unwelcome intruder that disrupts our daily lives.
When I work with people with anxiety, I use logic as a way to combat it. Anxiety is a familiar companion to many of us, often perceived as an unwelcome intruder that disrupts our daily lives.
Anxiety is a function of our bodies, a tool to keep us safe. A system to protect us which acts as our body’s alarm clock against potential dangers. I like to explore this with my clients and get them to understand what it is, rationalise it and take the fear from it. Logic and knowledge can be a powerful tool to changing our relationship with this complex emotion.
Anxiety and our Instincts
I believe anxiety ties closely to our instincts, intuition, and the gut feelings that guides us through our lives and helps us make decisions. This built-in alarm system was used by our ancestors and alerted them to predators and other dangers, playing a crucial role in human survival. Today in our fast-paced lives, though the nature of our threats has changed dramatically, the essence of anxiety remains the same—a protective mechanism geared towards safety.
Our threats are different, some of those are social or group related. Being accepted in a group was critical for our ancestors as they needed this to stay alive, being alone meant certain death. For us, we have so many groups these days, partner, families, work, friends, teams, social media etc. Unfortunately, our anxiety triggers are still geared towards ancient times! When we start to understand that it certainly can take pressure of ourselves.
The anxiety of having anxiety.
We can feel guilty or embarrassed about anxiety. So much so that we start to feel anxiety about having anxiety. And it multiplies. This is incredibly common. We want it to go away. Be gone anxiety, I don’t want to have this. But when we understand that it is a natural human function tied close to our instincts than we can learn to accept and acknowledge it. Of course this has to be managed in the short term so it can be kept under control, but would it be easier if we could accept it and rationalise why it is occurring.
I’m not a fan of phrases like “I suffer from anxiety”. It’s not an actual disease but a function of the body. When we rephrase our thinking and our language this really helps in being able to accept it and use it properly. Instead “I need help in understanding my anxiety” is a better phrase. What is my body trying to tell me and how can I listen and accept better.
There is no shame in having anxiety. We just need to retrain our thoughts to control it and to keep it in check. And there is some work involved in doing that. Of course there are many different types of anxiety and my blog is simplifying for the sake of trying to get people to think about anxiety in a different way. Anxiety relating to past traumas, phobias, ocd and Agoraphobia are more complex and require many different treatments but as a community we can certainly look/talk about anxiety in a different way.
Logic as a Tool Against Anxiety
Logic and rational thinking can serve as effective strategies for managing anxiety. By examining our anxious thoughts through a logical lens, we can challenge the validity of our fears. Asking ourselves questions like, "How likely is the scenario I'm worried about?" or "What evidence do I have that supports or contradicts my fear?" can help break the cycle of anxiety and bring our focus back to reality. I like to go through all the issues a client has and try and break them down bit by bit.
I also like to build self esteem in my clients. Strong self-esteem acts as a buffer against anxiety, equipping us with the confidence to face challenges head-on. Building self-esteem involves recognizing our worth, celebrating small victories, and practicing self-compassion. Engaging in activities that make us feel competent and capable can reinforce our belief in our ability to manage anxiety. It helps individuals navigate failures and criticisms without falling into a spiral of self-doubt and anxiety. Conversely, low self-esteem can exacerbate anxiety, making people more vulnerable to fears and less confident in their ability to cope with stressors.
Practical Strategies for Managing Anxiety
Managing anxiety involves a combination of understanding, logic, and practical action. One thing I truly believe is that you have to match a strategy/technique with the person. Some people are just not into mindfulness and that’s ok. There are so many different strategies and here are just three:
Breathing Exercises and Mindfulness: These techniques help calm the body's physiological response to anxiety, grounding us in the present moment. There are several different types of techniques that can be used.
Thought Diary: Keeping a record of anxious thoughts can help identify patterns and triggers, making them easier to address with rational counterarguments.
Gradual Exposure: Facing our fears in controlled, manageable steps can reduce avoidance behaviours and build confidence.
Let’s change our thoughts on anxiety. I think by viewing anxiety through logic and understanding its role in the human body takes a lot of the fear that is associated with it. I know that in my own experiences with it, this has helped immensely. Thank you for reading my blog and if you have five minutes could you do a brief survey on anxiety experiences and what you would you would like to learn in our upcoming webinar on Anxiety.
Discovering Paths to Well-Being: "Find Your Happy" and "Break the Routine"
“Find Your Happy" is a program very close to my heart, inspired by a poignant moment in my own life. It was during a conversation when I was asked what I do for fun and realised I couldn't find an answer. This was a really important moment in my life. This led me to change and rework my thought process. It took some work, but I found some secrets to changing this. I learnt that there are we need to have personal time, removing guilt associated with joy, rediscovering what is fun for you, setting boundaries in your life and knowing that if you are in a better space you can care for others better.
I’ve been working on two new programs that I hope will be well embraced and really help people change. Been a bit of work to get to this point! I'm excited to share with you two programs born from both personal experience and professional insight: "Find Your Happy" and "Break the Routine."
Finding Joy in the Journey
“Find Your Happy" is a program very close to my heart, inspired by a poignant moment in my own life. It was during a conversation when I was asked what I do for fun and realised I couldn't find an answer. This was a really important moment in my life. This led me to change and rework my thought process. It took some work, but I found some secrets to changing this. I learnt that there are we need to have personal time, removing guilt associated with joy, rediscovering what is fun for you, setting boundaries in your life and knowing that if you are in a better space you can care for others better.
Understanding the profound impact this question had on me at the time, I was motivated to share this process with others. Partnering with Kirt Hines, a specialist in women's mental health and self-care, we've designed "Find Your Happy" to guide participants through their own rediscovery. Kirt brings invaluable expertise in nurturing self-care practices and setting healthy boundaries, making her an integral part of this program. Together, we aim to help those who, like me, have become so engrossed in their responsibilities that they've lost touch with what truly brings them.
Find your Happy is a simple 90 minworkshop that can be done in one session. You can do it with me in person in my office or you can join our team of amazing counsellors online at nearly any time.
Check out the page for more details
Find your Happy
The Art of Changing Habits
On the other hand, "Break the Routine" stems from years of working closely with individuals eager to change their habits but unsure where to start. This program is designed to help people understand what works and what doesn't in the realm of habit change. It's about breaking free from the cycles that hold us back and forging new paths that lead to healthier, more fulfilling lives. I have seen people completely change their habits and go on completely different paths.
Break the Routine is focused on those who end up having one or more drinks pretty much every night. Maybe are a bit dissatisfied with that and want to change things up. It can also be used to help people with gambling, unhealthy eating routines and other habits. We will work out why you are doing this, changing your behaviours, replacing old habits with new ones and give you some tools to cope! I’m definitely a cheerleader in this one. We want you to be supported so online messaging is included.
It’s designed to be done in six sessions but can be completed faster. It’s not just counselling but adding a bit of accountability as well. You have an action plan after every session and can check in at any time.
Addiction counselling is my passion. I love watching people change and see the beenfits. It's about more than just breaking habits; it's about healing, understanding, and compassion.
A Team Ready to Support You
I'm proud to say that at Orange Counselling and Coaching, we have a dedicated team of counsellors trained specifically in these programs. Each team member brings their own unique experience and insight, ensuring that our clients receive the support and guidance tailored to their personal journey.
Flexibility and Accessibility
Understanding that life's obligations don't operate on a 9-to-5 schedule, we've made it a priority to offer flexible options for our sessions. Whether it's early morning or late evening, online or in-person, we strive to make our services accessible to everyone, at any time. This commitment has required a lot of work, but it's work that I love. It's about making a difference, one session at a time.
Our slogan is “We are here when you are ready”. I love it cause you may not be quite ready yet to take that first step but when you do have a chat with us.
Free Webinar: The Power of Self Care
Welcome to The Power of Self Care a 50-minute free webinar designed to guide you through the multifaceted world of self-care. Hosted by Orange Counselling and Coaching, this session is dedicated to introducing various dimensions of self-care, showing you the tools to nurture your well-being in daily life.
The Power of Self Care
Wednesday 21st February 2023
6:30pm
Go to this link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8456637202?omn=83735089194
Welcome to The Power of Self Care a 50-minute free webinar designed to guide you through the multifaceted world of self-care. Hosted by Orange Counselling and Coaching, this session is dedicated to introducing various dimensions of self-care, showing you the tools to nurture your well-being in daily life.
In today's fast-paced world, taking time for self-care is a necessity. This webinar aims to present the concept of self-care, breaking it down into accessible and practical steps.
As we delve into many different topics, remember that self-care is a personal journey and what works for one person may not work for another. Our goal is to introduce you to a broad spectrum of ideas and techniques, allowing you to discover what resonates best with you.
To conclude the webinar, we will have a Q&A session where you'll have the opportunity to ask questions and seek advice specific to your self-care journey.
Join us at Orange Counselling and Coaching for this enlightening journey into self-care. We are here to support and guide you towards a healthier, more balanced life.
Interested in learning more. Do this online questionaire:
Online Questionaire