School in Swing: Fighting Anxiety in Busyness of Life

The air is cooling, and the days are shortening. Kids are waking up early and going to school.

School activities are ramping up, and schedules are packed full! Dinner is constantly on the run and at quick or inconvenient times. You get home late, drop your stuff, sit down, and don’t want to stand back up; you are tired, or better yet, you are exhausted, and you need a minute to catch your breath just in time to head to bed and start over again. Sound familiar?

You’re not alone. Many people find themselves overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of school, fall activities, and less time to accomplish their daily tasks. Anxiety can set in with those feelings of being overwhelmed. Symptoms might include the following:

• Change in heart rates or heart palpitations.

• Feeling irritable, tense, or restless.

• Nausea or stomach distress.

• Sweating, trembling, or shaking.

• Trouble sleeping.

• Sense of impending danger or feeling of something about to go wrong.

*(WHO, 2023)

Symptoms can manifest into physical feelings of being unwell. Understanding yourself, your

limits, and your emotions can help keep you healthy and moving forward. It is never too late to start practicing self-care techniques to relieve those negative feelings.

Self-Care Tips

• Limit substance (alcohol and drug) use as it can intensify symptoms.

• Get some exercise. Even if it is short, it will help.

• Healthy eating habits. Time can be challenging, but try to stay on a schedule and eat

  healthy foods.

• Practice breathing techniques. (Box breathing, 555 breathing, belly breathing, etc.)

• Practice mindfulness and be aware of yourself and your surroundings.

• Take a minute to yourself- Relax, meditate, pray, or engage in a hobby.

• Set small goals, organize, and be in the moment.

• Connect with others and utilize your support systems.

Life can be challenging; don’t make it trickier. Grab a friend, a family member, or even a professional and maintain control in your life. Remember, you are not alone, and together, we got this!

*Reference

World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). Anxiety Disorders. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/anxiety-disorders