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Treatments for Anxiety
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Overview
Anxiety is an unpleasant feeling that impacts our ability to focus and enjoy our lives. It is important to understand what action we can take to reduce anxiety and improve our wellbeing. Different amounts of anxiety will affect the best form of treatment. For example, simple lifestyle changes are often best for a small amount of anxiety. Larger amounts of anxiety may require psychological or medical treatments, or a combination of both. For these cases it is best to discuss this with your healthcare professional.
Meditation
Meditation is regarded as any activity that allows us to achieve mindfulness. The purpose of meditation is to focus upon one particular item around you. This can be something simple such as the present moment, or it can be something we can sense around us, such as the rain upon a house roof, or birds outside. The most important aspect of meditation is that it allows us to be free of our thoughts, including those of our past or future. It is important to practice meditation, as it allows us to be less anxious and uncertain. This is because meditation is a skill, and over time it will become easier to be free of anxious thoughts, or unhappy thoughts regarding our past. This is also known as a state of mindfulness, where we are only focussed upon the present moment and not thinking of any particular thoughts which may be distressing.
There are many different types of activities that involve meditation. Click on the link below to find out more.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the state of mind where we are only focused upon our surroundings. It occurs when we are free of any thoughts, including those about our future or our past. As described earlier, meditation is a particular activity which helps us to achieve mindfulness. Practicing meditation allows ourselves to be in the present moment more often. This is very beneficial, and is scientifically proven to reduce anxiety and improve wellbeing.
Additional Help and Resources
Anxiety and other mental health illnesses can be treated gradually over time, however there may be cases where professional help is necessary. It is best to see your doctor first to discuss treatment options. A referral can be made to psychologists, psychiatrists or other specialists to best suit your needs.
Please also see the link below for additional links for global mental health websites.
