I know what it’s like to feel anxious, particularly about upcoming medical check-ups, scans and procedures. I tell myself I feel absolutely fine, fit and healthy, yet the “what if” monster creeps up often. Intellectually I know there are no issues, and telling myself to get over it and not worry doesn’t work.
Here’s what I suggest:
Stress isn’t always what is going on, it is what is NOT going on. You need to make what you love and need to live life, the very highest priorities.
Recognize your emotions. Hiding or ignoring negative feelings does not make them go away, and acknowledging them helps you to strategize on how to cope with them and manage anxiety.
Be aware of trigger points or cycles that lead to a spike in your anxiety, in order to take steps to manage this proactively.
Trust your healthcare professionals. Talking with them can put your mind at ease about certain worries that are very unlikely to manifest in your situation.
Talk to trusted friends, family or a counsellor about your fears. Discussing them out loud may help you determine the reasons behind your fears, and work through strategies to manage them.
Make healthy choices. Nutrition, exercise, avoiding unhealthy habits, all help you to feel that you have more control over your state of mind and body.
Learn and practice relaxation techniques.
