Seniors (and others) often find themselves riddled with anxiety and I would like to address this.
Everyone feels it from time to time. It is the 'whole body' response to something that doesn't seem right to us, that we perceive is threatening us. The good news is, the moment we realize that we are feeling anxious, that is the moment we can do something about it.
I know from experience that people sometimes mistake anxiety for ANGER, and look for the source of anger, often blaming others for being irritating or picking a fight with a loved one. Another name people often give anxiety is illness. In some people, it's a tummy ache, in others, it's a headache, in yet another, anxiety, misread, digs in and affects their immune system, making sure that they will be sick, for real, a LOT.
So this may be the hardest parts, folks, RECOGNIZING the anxiety you are feeling, and defusing it.
If you PRACTICE, you can get to the point where you can ask yourself:
WHAT is causing this anxiety right now.? Anxiety is nice like that. It will tell you. So listen to the answer. So let's get a strategy in place for our anxiety.
First off, a visit to the doctor is necessary when you feel completely overwhelmed by the pain of anxiety. And it is painful, isn't it? Searing, soul crushing--embarrassing us by shutting down our brains. We go into survival mode, which is no life at all. So we need to change our behavior, and in my humble opinion, a doctor should give you a complete check up to make sure you don't have something physically that needs attention first. Then...
Recognition is the first order of business. Teach your self to identify the anxiety. This is easier said than done because sometimes it hits you hard. How many people are able to identify when they have been hit by a BUS? Not many, because they are occupied with surviving, and I am convinced that an anxiety attack is similar.
FIRST, PRACTICE RECOGNIZING WHAT YOU ARE FEELING ALL THE TIME. Identify your feelings and name them and state what caused them. For example: "I feel comfortable right now. I believe I feel good and comfortable because I am expressing something I believe needs to be talked about, I am surrounded by my clean, attractive, quiet home, and I have my dogs nearby." ( and I cleaned that house, I made the decision to write something I have wanted to write about for a long time, and I acquired my two dogs knowing that I would miss having my grown sons around) So the reason I feel comfortable right now is because of the actions I have taken to address sources of anxiety that I KNOW are a 'thing' for me. EVERYONE has their own list of "THINGS" they need in place to feel comfortable.
Another example of naming a feeling and the actions that can quell them if they are bad--
You notice you are irritated and uncomfortable so you quickly ask yourself "OK what am I feeling right now?" sometimes, the answer is as simple as "I'M HUNGRY!" and all you need to do to get rid of that bad feeling is to find something healthy to eat. Try it.
It seems a little silly, but I believe it is essential that you begin to recognize that your feelings are directly connected to your actions. And while you cannot control your feelings, you are 100% in charge of your actions.
Sometimes we can lessen our anxiety by controlling our environment, and sometimes we can use our anxiety as fuel to create what we WANT to have rather than what IS. Which brings me to Puyallup Digital Learning as a solution in some cases.
Example: Many students come to online learning because of anxiety. The students who are successful here, recognize that online is not easier by any means, but it keeps them out of crowded classrooms, which were causing them a great deal of anxiety, or it allows them to pursue other passions that make traditional school difficult, schedule-wise.
Others come to us because of anxiety and then realize that online learning ADDS to their anxiety, rather than being the answer, and they make a change back to regular school at the semester, having realized that this was not what they wanted. Either way is OK. WE ARE HERE AS A COMMUNITY TO HELP YOU FIND YOUR WAY.
It is our hope that Puyallup Digital Learning is a positive experience for you,. but if you are NOT liking it, try to identify WHY you are feeling anxious, (or angry, or lonely, or bored) and then take positive steps to eliminate that unpleasant feeling. Sometimes, it just takes a talk with your teacher to straighten things out, sometimes it's something more. Life is about problem solving, and anxiety is definitely a problem for many of us.
Anxiety is, after all, JUST a feeling, and we must listen to it and learn about ourselves from it. If you still think of it as a monster, how about this: It's a monster that will HELP you find your path in life if you listen to it, not a monster that will eat you.
I HAVE A LOT more to say on this subject,and I would love to hear your thoughts on it, so expect more as the year goes on, and in the meantime, let's help each other every day! :)
