Anxiety

The stressors that first responders face are unique to their careers. Their work demands that they be consistently vigilant, quick to make decisions, and emotionally resilient as they face situations where lives are at stake. Along with this dedication come the challenges that accumulate emotionally and mentally. We don’t always see the internal struggles first responders face daily. Anxiety reduction is vital to helping these individuals maintain focus and clarity as they serve effectively. The process of managing anxiety includes the acknowledgment that these pressures are real and that seeking support is not a sign of weakness. Intentional strategies that will address anxiety are required for first responders to avoid burnout, compassion fatigue, and diminished capacity to respond effectively in the critical moments of their daily work. Scripture reminds us that we can come to God with everything we think and feel. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6, NASB) This is true for first responders, too. The Hidden Weight of Constant Readiness First responders are required to maintain a high-alert mindset. They need to be ready to respond at any moment. This often means that their nervous systems rarely experience true rest. Their daily life has a perpetual readiness woven into every minute, making it difficult to distinguish between on-duty and off-duty. When the brain adapts to this pattern, there are consequences. Sleep disturbance, irritability, and difficulty relaxing are common experiences that first responders must navigate. Christian counselors understand this hypervigilance and can help navigate intentional counterbalancing practices that allow the body and mind to rest. There is an unspoken message that surrounds first responders as they absorb the cultural message regarding their profession. That message is that first responders are unshakeable and [...]

Anxiety affects millions of people in the United States annually. Extreme anxiety can lead to physical and mental conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stomach issues, headaches, panic attacks, and unexplained aches and pains. Extreme anxiety can interfere with your job and relationships. It can keep you from taking action on good opportunities or attending special events. Anxiety can rob you of your confidence and self-esteem. God created your body to react to stress to protect you from danger and predators. Unfortunately, our minds perceive danger to also include stressful events or late mortgage payments. Other factors, like brain structure or function, brain chemical imbalance, genetics, family history, trauma, or environmental factors, contribute to increased levels of anxiety. You can learn to control extreme anxiety through lifestyle changes, professional treatment, and support. Tips for Overcoming Extreme Anxiety Overcoming extreme anxiety means looking at the condition from all angles. You need an approach that addresses physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. If you rely solely on one, you risk neglecting other areas. For example, if you concentrate on using exercise to fight anxiety and depression without addressing negative thoughts and challenging old beliefs, the thoughts will continue and fuel your anxiety. Think of your brain like a giant computer. Anxiety is like an open tab running in the background. Perhaps you are not working on that screen currently, but it is still running and consuming power and resources from your computer. Anxiety is like that underlying tab, leaving you feeling worried, on edge, and mentally frazzled. The following are several tips for overcoming extreme anxiety. Seek counseling Counseling provides the opportunity for a safe space to delve into the root of your anxiety, identify anxious thoughts, challenge negative beliefs, and learn how to reframe thoughts to result in positive [...]

For some, worrying feels as natural as breathing, and being told to stop worrying feels like an impossible ask. The way to stop worrying is not by simply gritting your teeth and telling yourself to stop. It takes time and effort, but there are effective tools you can use to help you stop worrying and reclaim peace. Why do people worry? One of the first things to address as you seek to understand and overcome worry is to figure out why people worry. Jesus repeatedly tells His disciples not to worry, dedicating time and space to reassure them of the Father’s care and concern for His people (Matthew 6:25-34). Even among God’s people, worry is a reality. We may not worry about the same things, or to the same extent, but we all have moments when worry consumes us. Worry can be seen as a natural emotional response one has to certain life situations. Worrying is when your mind and heart go around in circles over a particular issue, trying to make sense of things. Worry is not the same thing as brainstorming or problem-solving. Worry is repetitive, involving dwelling on a situation or possible outcomes, without taking action to change things. People tend to worry when they experience uncertainty or when they feel concern about the future and possible outcomes of actions. People also worry when they face real or perceived threats to their well-being. Worry engages the mind even when there’s nothing more that can be done. For instance, worrying over a test that’s already been taken, or decisions that are out of our hands. A key reason why we worry is that we have an innate desire to control the situations we find ourselves in. Worry feels like a way to tame the uncontrollable, to put [...]

Anxiety can often be attributed to feeling out of control. If you are a Type-A personality, like things organized, and control much of what is around you, then having your world turned upside down can bring on severe anxiety and panic attacks. Although you cannot control every aspect of your life and must remember that God has much better plans for you than you could have ever had, setting goals and finding ways to make them happen can open doors and give you a sense of control. A New Year does not have to feel like all the past years – everyone else is accomplishing goals while you are struggling with overwhelming anxiety. Learning how to overcome anxiety using goal-setting principles can serve you for the rest of your life. New Year Anxiety For some people, starting a New Year brings out more anxiety. They have tried to tackle big goals only to get overwhelmed and quit, or they press on while anxiety gets the better of them with full-blown panic attacks, which slow them down and result in fear. You can manage anxiety by giving yourself a sense of control over your future and feelings of accomplishment. You may have never considered how to overcome anxiety by tackling it head-on through goal-setting principles, but having a plan boosts confidence, and watching yourself accomplish goals will raise your self-esteem. Let’s make this your best year yet. Why Setting Goals Can Help Anxiety There is a difference between setting a resolution and creating goals and a plan. A resolution is a statement. For example, “This year, I am not going to eat a bite of sugar.” Although noble and health-conscious, this resolution will probably set you up for failure. It is specific, but if you have been eating added sugars [...]

One of the things we have in common is that we all need to step back from whatever is happening in our lives, close our eyes, and become lost in sleep. We all need to sleep, and being able to sleep despite turmoil in our lives is a gift the Lord gives us. That’s why David can say, I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side – Psalm 3:5-6, NIV When we sleep, it allows us to recharge ourselves and maintain our well-being physically, spiritually, and mentally. Amid all this, however, is the reality of sleep anxiety. Sleep anxiety, which is sometimes called sleep-related anxiety, is a condition that disrupts a person’s ability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get restful and quality sleep. Many people struggle with this condition, which is rooted in persistent worries, fear, and nervousness around sleep. Causes of Sleep Anxiety Sleep is a necessary part of our lives. When you don’t get enough sleep, it affects how you react to others and your capacity to engage in creative thinking. It even impacts how you feel about yourself and the world around you. As necessary as sleep is, it can be disrupted in several ways, and different factors can contribute to sleep anxiety. One of the factors that can lead to sleep anxiety is when you’re experiencing stress and feel overwhelmed by aspects of your life. If you’re undergoing significant life changes, or you’re facing a lot of work pressures, or if there’s relational or other conflict you’re dealing with in your life, that can all heighten your levels of anxiety, affecting your sleep negatively. If you have an anxiety disorder like social anxiety, that too puts [...]