Anxiety Isn’t All Bad. What to Do When It Isn’t So Good.

We all worry from time to time. A change in the health of a loved one, an unexpected project at work, the challenging world in which we are living—it’s enough to make anyone feel anxious or fearful.

Anxiety isn’t all bad. In small doses, it can help you cope with tense times and may even move you to focus on the more positive.

Here are some healthy ways to deal with everyday anxiety and fear, and not let it get the best of you:  

  1. Take deep, slow breaths. When you are anxious, you tend to hold your breath or breathe too rapidly. This can make you feel even more anxious. Instead, try to slow your breathing down until you are calm.
  2. Reach out. Feeling connected reduces anxiety. Although social distancing may mean you aren’t able to be around all of the people you would like to be right now, you still don’t want to be alone. Phone a friend or set up a video call with a family member. This is not the time to isolate.
  3. Live in the present. Pay attention to what is happening in your life today (rather than in the past or future), and take it one hour or one day at a time. 
  4. Act on the things that most worry you. If you are worried about your job, health or income, for example, find a way to solve the problem. Save even a little money each month, or schedule a work evaluation with your boss. Taking action helps reduce anxiety.
  5. When you can find humor in a situation, it often becomes less of a worry and more of a simple hurdle to get over.
  6. Share your stress or fear. Never worry alone. Talking through anxiety can help you find a solution and realize that what is bothering you isn’t so big.

When to Get Help for Behavioral Problems

While being in a blue mood for a day or two is okay, not being able to cope or function long-term isn’t. When stress and anxiety begin to interfere on the job, at school, or with relationships and other activities of daily living, help from a behavioral health counselor may be in order.

Our licensed counselor at Family Health Center on Virginia is skilled to evaluate individual needs for wellness and assist with making healthier choices. The focus during counseling is to educate and help in setting personal goals and working through life concerns. Our Behavioral Health Counselor helps adults and children work out what is causing fear, and then comes up with better ways of reacting to or handling it.

We provide counseling services for: 

Behavioral and mental health concerns are treatable, and without treatment may become worse over time. With proper care from Family Health Center, adults and children impacted by anxiety or depression and its challenges can live happier lives. If more specialized services are needed, our counselor will make a referral to community resources for the counseling that is needed. 

Family Health Center strives to make behavioral health services accessible to all our patients. We welcome Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP and most Insurances.  If you do not have insurance for services, learn about our sliding fee scale based on family size and income.

To schedule an appointment or telemedicine appointment, please call (214)618-5600.