(Hilary Valdez)
All humans worry. But are you a worrywart? There is always something to worry about. Simple and difficult life challenges and choices can cause us stress. Sometimes the stress can be short-term or long-term and can occupy our thoughts constantly. I used to worry a lot, but it made me tired and sometimes even moody or grumpy. But stress is like snow, it quietly builds up. Stress kills. More stress leads to anxiety and other physical illnesses.
Anxiety is not a bad emotion. It can be a useful trigger to tell you that change needs to occur. When you are upset, listen to your self-talk, what are you saying to yourself? What messages are circulating in your brain? What set you off? If you are saying negative things, switch to more positive messages. If you are filled with handwringing, non-stop worry, yup— free-floating anxiety.
Free-floating anxiety, according to Hailey Shafir, licensed mental health counselor and author of the Choose Therapy Newsletter, is worry or panic without a known trigger. Free-floating anxiety is not consistent and can vary in length and intensity. Shafir adds that persistent anxiety could be characteristic of other anxiety disorders.
According to Psychology Today’s Anxiety Center, anxiety is now the leading mental health problem around the world and in the U.S. alone, nearly one-third of adults grappling with this mental and physical condition at some point in their lives.
If you’ve found yourself having difficulty relaxing or concentrating, feeling on edge, trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, have more fatigue or headaches, stomach aches, muscle aches, or other unexplained pains, you may be suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
Ask yourself: has your free-floating stress always been a part of your life? Is it a recent symptom? Some people have experienced severe trauma. I counseled Marines returning from Iraq. They were always hyper-vigilant, tense and nervous; very jumpy. You didn’t want to creep up behind them. But most people worry about money, health, and family. However, there is always a reason why you are anxious –I hope.
To meet the criteria for GAD, a person must experience persistent worry for at least six months. There is no specific time limit for free-floating anxiety. Furthermore, the anxiety needs to cause clinical distress, meaning it affects other areas of functioning, remember three things: order, meaning, and value. What brings order to your life? What brings meaning to your life? What do you value?”
What to do? Keep a thought journal. Write down your emotions and what caused certain emotions. Go for walks in the park. Listen to peaceful music. Exercise or do yoga. Talk with friends and family. Do something social with friends. Go on a day trip. Try and stay positive. If you say one thing negative, say two thigs positive. Keep a gratitude journal. Write down the small things you are grateful for and usually take for granted. If you insist on worrying have a set time of the day to worry but keep it short. And pop out bed like warm toast, happy and ready to meet the world with a positive attitude. There is always a solution. Remember the famous words of Alfred E. Neuman: “What! Me Worry.” And remember the song by Bobby McFerrin “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” 2010. Okay, you know what to do.
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Hilary Valdez is a freelancer living in Tokyo, Japan. He is an experienced Mental Health professional and Resiliency Trainer. Valdez is a former Marine and has worked with the military most of his career and most recently worked at Camp Zama as a Master Resiliency Trainer. Valdez now has a private practice and publishes books on social and psychological issues. His books are available on Amazon and for Kindle. Learn more about Valdez and contact him at his website or email (InstantInsights@hotmail.com). Follow his YouTube channel Hilary’s Quick Talk for more insights.
