Struggle to switch off?
Speaking to someone recently who finds it hard to switch off and when they do get time to, they feel anxious.
This is common.
There is a ‘mindset’ element to this and a biological element to it also.
We as humans have the ability to ‘label’ things good and bad.
When a feeling comes up that isn’t something we have LEARNT is good, we label it ‘bad’ or wrong and often pick up a phone, watch TV or eat to hopefully silence said feeling.
Maybe it works in short term, but it will come back and over time, you become afraid of it.
You start to make associations about being ‘alone’ and feeling anxious etc
Yet what really is that anxious feeling?
From a mindset perspective it can be that we have empty ‘space’ in our day and we feel we should be doing something (common in business owners)
We worry what people will think if we are not constantly busy (social approval)
We worry we are missing out…It goes on.
Yet that feeling of being anxious is just a representation of SELF.
How settled you are with the choices and decisions you have and are making in life.
Example, when I’m under pressure (I put it on myself) at work, I feel more anxious.
Yet it’s ME that chose to put the pressure on myself.
My invite to this person is to understand that when a anxious feeling comes up, sit with it.
Lean in.
You won’t die, it won’t harm you.
You will learn something.
Instead of picking up the phone when you have a spare moment, sit in silence, notice the content of your thoughts etc.
Many of them are likely negative, no wonder you feel anxious when space is created.
Now the biology bit…
When we are stressed, we secret hormones that trigger the amygdala in the brain, this sends us into the flight or flight response.
This lifts blood sugars, heart rate, blood pressure, increases sight and creates a feeling of time running out.
The longer term your stress is (worry about money, future security, relationship etc) the more anxious you will feel.
It’s a life saving mechanism, yet when used all the time because of your LEARNT fears
-not being good enough
-not enough money
-not slim enough
-not (insert your life’s complaints)
You run this mechanism A LOT in the day.
It’s like a boy that cried wolf, after time your body starts to re-regulate.
This is where things like low mood / depression / anxiety really start to take hold.
That’s a whole different post
