Have you ever felt like there were not enough hours in the day?
You may go from one activity to another with anxiety. You go to work, then children’s activities, then home for dinner, assist with homework, and so forth. Then at some late hour, you finally get to sleep to start the process again in a few hours.
You may even brag about how many hours you spend at work or in a volunteer activity because you receive the rewards of money and praise. Or you could be mission-driven and decide that you will pay the price in whatever time and energy are necessary to accomplish the mission.
And yes, there is a price. That price usually is our peace of mind. Anxiety continues to grow because there is ALWAYS something to do and never time for rest. And when we live at that breakneck pace for so long, we forget how to slow down to care for our minds, bodies, and hearts.
Anxiety is a state of negative expectation that affects us on a mental and physical level. From a mental perspective, it is characterized by increased arousal and apprehension tortured into distressing worry.
Physical signs of anxiety can often include:
- Unpleasant activation of multiple body systems
- Hypertension
- Stress
- And shortness of breath
When we operate in a continual state of response to a real or imagined threat, that is anxiety. Living in a world of overwhelm and overcommitment can make us anxious. The threat is real to us that we are not good enough, will be unable to finish the tasks, and will be harmed in a mental, physical, emotional, or psychological way because of our failure.
A mind continuously racing is a mind that will struggle to make good decisions.
A mind and body stuck on the hamster wheel of life will eventually tire and wear down. If you start to feel overwhelmed or worn out and exhausted, it may be time to slow down. If you notice that you are stressed, it might be time to restructure your life. By doing so, you can take a break. If you start to yell at your spouse and children or snap in anger at the drop of a hat, that is a sign that you are overwhelmed.
Running at max capacity can work for a season, especially if it is an intentional decision. But, running at full capacity while being unaware is dangerous for our emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical health. Taking the time to slow down, relax, and breathe will calm our nervous system and reduce anxiety. When we slow down, set boundaries around our time and find quiet moments in our daily life, we can consider how to make decisions based on our values and eliminate harmful commitments.
If you are running at a breakneck pace and do not have enough hours to do all the tasks, the solution may be slowing down. By doing so, you can take the time to find ways to reduce or eliminate some tasks.
Begin Working With A Therapist in Atlanta, GA
You deserve to give yourself a break. But, finding peace of mind after going at full capacity for so long can be difficult to accomplish. I would be honored to offer support in managing your anxiety. I offer in-person and online support across Atlanta, Decatur, and the state of Georgia. To start your therapy journey with Faith and Family Empowerment, please follow these simple steps:
- Contact me to schedule an initial appointment
- Learn more about anxiety treatment
- Begin easing anxiety and stress
Other Services Offered at Faith and Family Empowerment
Anxiety treatment isn’t the only service offered at my Decatur, GA-based therapy practice. I’m happy to offer a variety of in-person and online mental health services. These include Christian counseling, depression support groups, and anxiety support groups. Other mental health services include premarital counseling, discernment counseling, and counseling for affair recovery. Learn more by visiting my about, blog, or FAQ pages today!