While experiencing a bit of cabin fever during the winter season isn’t necessarily a problem, if you’re already dealing with anxiety, it can make things worse.  So, how can your anxiety actually contribute to cabin fever? More importantly – what can you do to cope when it hits again?

Performance anxiety impacts more people than you might think. At its most basic level, it’s fear about your ability to perform a specific task. You might experience it at work, in unexpected everyday situations, or even in your relationships. 

Whether you’re at work and feeling unmotivated or you want to get things done in your home life or personal life, anxiety is often a productivity killer. You’re not going to be as driven to “keep going” and do things when your anxiety is running wild.

But, most perfectionists also hold unrealistic expectations for themselves and the rest of the world. When reality falls short of those expectations, it’s not uncommon for anxiety to kick in.

Almost everyone understands what PTSD is, but it can be difficult to truly know how it impacts your life unless you’re going through it.

When you’re in a relationship with someone who has PTSD, you might feel overwhelmed, frustrated, guilty, or even heartbroken sometimes over the fact that you can’t help them with their disorder.

Are you constantly feeling pressure from friends to be more outgoing? Do you feel obligated to spend time doing things you don’t want to do? Do you fear missing out (FOMO)?  You aren’t alone, introverts can get a sense that their natural need for solitude is a negative thing. Worse, many people even feel ashamed for being introverted. 

Thanks to the Delta variant and others that have started to follow, it’s clear that we’re not out of the pandemic woods just yet. But, it’s hard to know what’s “okay” and what’s not. Information seems to change on a regular basis, along with restrictions.

With EMDR, you don’t necessarily have to talk about the things that cause you to feel anxious. Instead, the process allows you to go from a place of anxiety in your mind to a place of peace and tranquility. It provides a wonderful alternative for anyone who might have trouble verbalizing things they’ve gone through or things that worry them on a regular basis.

You can let go of that pursuit of perfection by practicing mindfulness whenever those thoughts occur. When you choose to be mindful, you’re only focusing on the present. Any thoughts that come need to be let go immediately, and not attached to anything.

When you have social anxiety, connecting with others can feel overwhelming and nearly impossible. You want to develop friendships and relationships, and nurture the ones you have, but sometimes you just feel stuck.

A traumatic experience, even in childhood, can have lasting results. Whether you experienced consistent trauma at a young age or went through a one-time event that hasn’t left you, past trauma doesn’t always stay in the past.

Why do you suddenly feel anxious and upset? What’s happening that your brain feels increasingly “foggy” and you just can’t seem to get clear and motivated?

You guessed it, your executive functioning skills are compromised. Your brain is cluing you into the impact of the stress you’re under.

Avoidance isn’t always the wrong path to take if your anxiety appropriately signals immediate danger.

Avoidance is a problem, however, when escape becomes your go-to response whenever your negative feelings or fears are the primary reason for your upset.

Anxiety can interfere with your connection to your partner and the way you parent. Moreover, the anxious feelings you have about yourself and the way you are perceived by others can lead to self-esteem issues and damage your connection with loved ones, coworkers, and potential relationships.

It might feel like you’re doing fine overall, on paper… You’re still getting up, showering, going to work, parenting your kids. You’re successful. You have a full calendar. You’re getting the important things done. But you’re also exhausted, overwhelmed, and feeling like you should be doing more, or that there should be more to life than this.

Kids stuck at home can be feeling anxious and lonely. No matter the age, weekly therapy sessions can be a positive, steady part of their routine. Online counseling sessions can still provide a separate space for kids to ‘be somewhere else,’ with someone else for a bit. Having that designated time, being able to be heard and supported outside of their family, can give kids something to look forward to each week. Weekly sessions can help boost morale, manage anxiety, improve communication skills, and build self-esteem.