Anxiety is a natural response to feeling threatened in some way. If you’re worrying about something that’s about to happen or you think might happen in the future, it’s normal to feel worried or scared, or even to experience physical symptoms. Most people feel anxious at times, particularly when dealing with stressful life events. But if your anxiety is severe or long-lasting, or if it’s preventing you from leading your life as you’d like to, it’s worth thinking about how you can improve things.

Everyone experiences anxiety differently. Signs of anxiety can include:

· Feelings of fear, dread, or unease.

· Finding it hard to do the things you normally enjoy.

· Avoiding situations that make you feel anxious or fearful, including social events.

· Panic attacks or other physical symptoms such as dizziness, restlessness, sleep problems, pins and needles, nausea, or headaches.

· Your fears are out of proportion to the situation.

· You’re feeling tense, nervous, and unable to relax.

· You feel you need constant reassurance.

· Having the same thoughts over and over again and finding it hard to let go of those thoughts.

· Overanalysing things.

· Feeling disconnected from your mind or body, or from the world around you.

· Your anxiety has lasted for a long time.

These kinds of symptoms may affect your ability to work or to look after yourself or others and may impact your relationships at home or work. The causes of anxiety are often complex. You may be suffering from depression or other mental health problems as well as anxiety. But with the right support, you can work out the causes and learn how to deal with it. Making changes to your daily routine may also help. You could try:

· Improving your self-care, for example, by looking at your diet, sleep patterns and exercise.

· Talking to a friend or family member you trust.

· Talking to your GP or a counsellor about the causes of your anxiety and what you can do to deal with it.

· Learning some breathing exercises.

· Journalling or writing.

· Mindfulness.

· Therapies such as yoga, meditation, or reflexology.

· Learning how to recognise and manage panic attacks.

Acknowledging that anxiety is affecting your life is the first step. If you’re finding that your anxiety is become overwhelming or interfering with your everyday life and relationships, please remember that this can change. There is plenty of support available, and you don’t have to deal with it alone.