 Can you have high-functioning anxiety?
Yes, you can. Let's take a look at what that can look like in your brain. And if you want to know what that can feel like in the body, you can go read this post. (The link will open in a new tab.) It can look like racing thoughts, that you can not quiet in your brain. One thing, to the next thing, and over there to a different thing, there is not a sense of balance or flow; instead, it's just one thought to the next, and is creating stress, and not allowing any time for action or solution, or completion. Do you have a harsh inner critic with a lot of opinions, tear-downs, and insults? All of that negative self-talk.
Constant state of urgency, and feeling behind, and I gotta hurry up, also comes from that inner critic and low vibration self-talk. High functioning anxiety can also look like difficulty being present with your task, your meal, or with others. So what might help? First, remember that wellness is brain and body; it's all connected. That means the things we do for our body, also help our brain. When we do deeper breathing, we are flooding our body with more oxygen. When we eat healthy foods, including fats, we are providing all of our systems, gut, brain, and body, with the nutrition it needs to work at its peak. That means we also know that when we are eating a lot of processed foods, we are not giving our brain what it needs to make better choices. Staying hydrated is very important for your brain, and so is a good night's sleep, at least 7 hours. When we don't have that reset, we aren't allowing our brain to clean out the fluids and reset for the next day. All the basics. In fact, very often doctors will prescribe a sleep aide, relaxant for a person who is in high anxiety, just to get them to have a good night of sleep and a reset. But we also need to change that inner critic, and there are a couple of things that might help. Put positive notes around, where you will see them. Yes, you can read them, but the cool trick is that your subconscious will read them; you don't have to stop and do it. And you can change up the notes, or where you have them posted, allowing your brain to take in new data. Another thing that can work is to have a ring, bracelet, or even a hair tie (think Jason Momoa with his pink hair tie on his wrist all of the time) and when you catch that mean voice speaking badly to you, say nope, that's not for me, I am awesome. You don't have to say it out loud, but you can! And then move the item to the other hand. So if the bracelet is on your left hand, move it to your right hand. Something physical with the replacement words. This one is going to sound odd, but in the morning, make sure and see the sunlight. Yes, you can even do that through a window, even lying in bed. And again in the evening see the sunsetting light. Both are best if you are seeing it from outside, even if that is just standing in your open door. And nature, spending time in nature. You don't have to hug a tree, but you can. You don't have to go on a hike; you can just stop at the local park. And you can just be outside of your house, on your patio, your balcony, or in your yard, and just see what the clouds look like, do you hear birds, can you see birds? How warm or cool do you think it is? Have the leaves changed colors? Has the grass been mowed recently? Are there bees, mosquitoes, or hummingbirds? Can you hear water in a fountain? Just getting back in touch with nature each day can do a lot to give your brain a break. And yes, these are all habits that take time. But you are worth it! Instead of trying to add all the tips at once, choose one that you resonate with and try it for a week. See if it helps, see if you notice any changes. If it does great, keep at it! Or if you need to, spend the next week trying a different one out. Find what works best for you, as your body learns the resonance of calmer and of the triggers.
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