Women Suffer More than Men from High Anxiety

Today I heard a new poll that stated women were more worried about their futures than were their male counterparts.  While this was disturbing to hear it didn’t surprise me at all.  It is true that women are worriers.  How many of us have had sleepless nights worrying about our children, our aging parents, our jobs, our husband, our boyfriends and the list can seem endless.

Women are tremendously prone to worry because we tend to be caretakers of everyone in our lives.  Sometimes, or might I say many times, we worry about everyone else to the detriment of ourselves.  Worry, better known as anxiety, can reek havoc on our physical and mental health.  Anxiety is one of those strange emotions that can help us do well on tests.  However, if we experience too much then it interferes with performance.  So, anxiety can get moving or can cripple our ability to function.  It’s a fine line and a hard one to control.

However, I would encourage all the women in my life to at least try.  There are a few simple steps that can really help manage anxiety.  If it’s anxiety that’s caused by procrastination then I would encourage an individual to tackle the task one piece at a time.  If  the anxiety/worry is due to something we cannot control, especially during times we’re in today, then I would encourage some different approaches.

In an earlier post, I spoke of how we cannot be anxious if our bodies are relaxed.  Therefore, I would encourage you to engage in those activities which maximize relaxation.  For example, meditation/yoga are wonderful forms of deep relaxation.   Any form of workout can also lead to the alleviation of stress and the release of endorphins.  Lastly, I would encourage you to put the concerns out of your mind especially if your thoughts are destructive.

If the anxiety isn’t helping you move forward, then actively work at alleviating your anxiety.  Therapy can be extremely helpful if you’ve been officially diagnosed with an Anxiety Disorder.

Take charge of your life today and call Dr. Goschi because help is just a phone call away @ (312)595-1787.

Mindful Eating During Stressful Times

It is important to address how our behaviors have changed during the pandemic. For instance, at times the weather does not permit us to go outside, with that being said, being stuck inside can cause you to graze for food even though you may not be hungry or due to stress you may not be eating enough. If you find yourself struggling to keep a normal diet for your body type, try to increase the awareness of your food intake.

For instance, you can try scheduling when you eat your food, keep a food diary of what you may have consumed throughout the day, or you can get rid of the unhealthy food in your house so that if you are grazing at least you are eating something that is good for your body. In addition, you can even count your calories so that you are visibly able to see if you have reached your caloric goal. When eating meals it is important that you are mindful of the food you are putting into your body. Pay attention to each bite you are taking and enjoy the nourishment that you are consuming rather than scarfing the food down until you are uncomfortably full or starving your body from getting the energy it needs.

Eating is all about balance but also paying close attention to how the food affects your body. Listen to what your body needs. In addition, you also want to be aware of the thoughts you have after you consume food. If you do not have a good relationship with food you may want to try changing your habits or seek additional help due to the fact the relationship individuals have with self-esteem and food can be a very complex one. Do not hesitate to reach out during this unfortunate time, you are not alone. 

Written by Daniella Raymondi, LPC