Overcoming Anxiety – The Times Are Changing!

​Over the past few weeks I’ve been conducting talks at colleges and universities, speaking to students and teachers about anxiety, spreading awareness by dispelling some myths about it, and sharing techniques on how to reduce it (and get your BALANCE right).
 
Having the opportunity to speak to so many students was great, but what’s even better was seeing how times have changed when it comes to anxiety.
 
When I was at school, if I’d told my teacher I was having a panic attack, he would have probably asked me what one was! The increase in the level of emotional intelligence and mental health awareness has meant that many more people (young and old) are getting the help they need.
 
A big problem for me when my high anxiety symptoms started in my early teens was not knowing and understanding what I was going through (I’m sure many of us can relate to that). But it looks like more and more people are recognising the symptoms and doing something about it.
 
There’s still a long way to go, and the stigma attached to mental health / anxiety will probably be around for some time, but by speaking out and spreading some awareness we’re slowly (but surely) making things better.
 
If you’re still in a situation where you haven’t spoken to anybody (which is very common), don’t bottle it up – when you bottle things up they seem much bigger than they are. Facing up to anxiety, depression, or any other mental health issue, is the first step to revival.
 
And, it’s not just ourselves we need to help - whether you’re a student, parent, teacher, or partner, if you know somebody that needs help, encourage them to speak out and get the help they need.
 
It doesn’t matter how old (or young) we are, the most important thing is that we continue to talk about what’s on our mind, and if there are fears and anxieties we’re not dealing with, get them out in the open so we can do something about them.
 
Together we’re stronger, and it’s up to us all to make things better.