When you’re always anxious, it’s like your mind is on overdrive. Every little thing can feel like a catastrophe waiting to happen.
As a psychologist, I’ve seen this firsthand. And I’ve noticed that people constantly battling anxiety often share 8 specific daily habits.
The mind of an anxious person is a complex labyrinth. But understanding these habits can provide us with a roadmap to navigate it.
Let’s explore this together, shall we?
Overthinking is the bread and butter of anxiety.
Every decision, every conversation, every glance can be analyzed to oblivion.
It’s like your mind is a hamster on a wheel, running and running but never getting anywhere.
Anxious people don’t just overthink the big stuff. They overthink everything – from what to have for breakfast to what color socks to wear.
It’s exhausting, right?
Anxiety is like a microscope, magnifying every little detail until it’s all you can see. And when you’re stuck in this loop, it’s hard to see the bigger picture.
If you find yourself getting lost in a maze of thoughts over trivial things, you might be dealing with anxiety.
The thing about anxiety is, it makes you question everything – especially yourself.
I remember a time when I was working on a major project. I’d done my research, put in the hours, and was confident in my work.
But as soon as I submitted it, the doubts started creeping in.
Did I do enough? Was it good enough? Should I have spent more time on it?
I found myself constantly seeking reassurance from my colleagues, my boss, even my family.
Every positive feedback was a temporary relief, but the doubts would come back soon enough.
Anxious people often need that external validation because their anxiety keeps telling them they’re not good enough.
It’s a vicious cycle, and breaking free from it is no easy task.
In the animal kingdom, a common defense mechanism is to avoid predators and threats.
This is known as the ‘fight or flight’ response. When faced with danger, an animal either stands its ground or flees to safety.
The same goes for anxious people, but their predator is social situations.
They often find social gatherings overwhelming and stressful. It’s not just about being shy or introverted.
It’s about feeling like you’re under a microscope, with every action and word being scrutinized.
They choose flight over fight – they avoid these situations altogether. To them, it’s a safer option than facing the potential discomfort and embarrassment.
Anxiety isn’t just a mental thing. It affects your body too.
Heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, shortness of breath – these are just some of the physical symptoms that anxious people experience on a daily basis.
It’s like their body is constantly on high alert, ready to respond to a threat that isn’t really there.
The mind and body are intricately connected, and when one is in distress, the other often follows suit.
It’s a difficult cycle to break, but acknowledging these symptoms is the first step towards managing them.
As someone who deals with anxiety, I can tell you that the need for control is a big factor.
It’s like being on a rollercoaster that you can’t get off of, and all you want to do is grab the controls and stop the ride.
I find myself trying to control every aspect of my life – my schedule, my environment, even my relationships.
Uncertainty feels threatening, and having control gives me a sense of security.
But life is unpredictable, and things don’t always go according to plan.
Recognizing this and learning to let go of control is one of the biggest challenges for anxious people like me.
You might think that anxious people would be the first to get things done, given their need for control. But in reality, the opposite is often true.
Anxiety can lead to a lot of second-guessing and self-doubt, which can result in procrastination.
The fear of making a mistake or not doing something perfectly can be paralyzing.
Instead of tackling tasks head-on, anxious people often put them off, hoping to avoid the discomfort and potential failure.
Ironically, this only leads to more anxiety in the long run as the tasks pile up and the deadlines loom closer.
It’s a tricky habit to break but recognizing it is an essential first step.
When it’s finally time to rest after a long day, the anxious mind doesn’t stop.
Thoughts race, worries pile up, and the to-do list for the next day plays on a loop. The result? A lot of tossing and turning, and very little sleep.
People with anxiety often struggle with insomnia or other sleep disorders.
The lack of quality sleep only adds to the anxiety, creating a vicious cycle that’s hard to break.
Prioritizing good sleep hygiene can be a game-changer for those dealing with this daily struggle.
It’s not an immediate fix, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.
The harshest critic of an anxious person is often themselves.
They hold themselves to impossibly high standards and beat themselves up when they fall short.
This relentless self-criticism can be incredibly destructive and fuels the cycle of anxiety.
Breaking free from this habit requires a lot of self-compassion and understanding.
It’s about learning to be kind to yourself, acknowledging your efforts, and understanding that it’s okay to be imperfect.
If you’ve followed along with these points, you’ll have a glimpse into the daily life of an anxious person.
Anxiety is not just about being worried or nervous. It’s an all-consuming state of mind that can take over every aspect of a person’s life.
But being aware of these habits and understanding why they occur is the first step towards managing them.
It’s about seeing anxiety for what it really is – not a character flaw or a sign of weakness, but a mental health issue that many people grapple with.
As psychologist Carl Jung once said, “Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”
Reflecting on our own behaviors and thoughts is the path to better understanding ourselves and others.
So whether you’re dealing with anxiety yourself or know someone who is, remember to approach it with empathy and understanding.
After all, we’re all navigating this complex thing called life together.
The post 8 daily habits of perpetually anxious people, says a psychologist appeared first on Small Business Bonfire.
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