What's anticipation of special events or anniversaries like for you? Most of us experience the whole range of emotions as though we were participating in the actual event. For instance, do you have a birthday coming up soon? If you do and you're worried about getting older you may find that feelings of despair and discouragement begin creeping up days or even weeks before the occurrence. On the other hand, if birthdays excite you with feelings of newly discovered wisdom or simply a sense of "I made it through one more," the positive anticipation is just as likely to build to a crescendo as the day moves closer.
"Anxiety," one form of anticipation, is sometimes defined as "needless worry about something that hasn't happened yet." While technically that may be true, the reality is that some anxiety about the future is in fact a healthy thing. Do you plan for retirement or do you just trust the winds of fortune to take care of you? Do you schedule an annual physical assessment or pretend you are as indestructible as a teenager? We may not particularly enjoy doing so, but we buy groceries so we can eat next week and we pay the monthly bills to ensure that the electricity and the gas remain on.
Lately, we've probably all noticed news stories about the upcoming tenth anniversary of 9-11. The anticipation of the day creates anxiety for many of us. Whether that anxiety is only mildly disturbing or becomes fearfully disabling depends for the most part on how we decide to think about it. September 11, 2001, was frightening beyond imagination! To say that it changed how we live is, at best, an understatement. So how do we maintain a healthy anxiety about September 11, 2011? Here are a few suggestions:
- Remember the reasons for observing the day. Trying to "forget" unpleasant memories usually results in more anxiety. Remember the lost and the survivors. Remember the responders who continued to work for days and weeks. Remember the lessons learned about caring, and cooperation, and courage.
- Spend time with your closest friends and family. Being with those most supportive of us often renews our faith in what is good and what is truly important.
- Find someone to wish a "good day" to or to do something nice for. Anxiety and depression are almost always lessened when we turn our attentions to helping others.
- Breathe deeply and take a walk. Inhale slowly, counting to seven--then exhale slowly. Deliberate relaxation and moderate exercise are terrific not only for reducing anxiety but for improving one's physical and mental health.
- Practice thanksgiving (and read the first three again).
If the anxiety doesn't go away or at least let up substantially, you may want to speak to a professional counselor about other things you can do. If we can help at Tanner EAP, just call us. 770.834.8327
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