Anxiety is a universal emotion that we all experience at some point in our lives. It manifests itself in different ways and can be triggered by various situations and events. But what is the real reason why we get anxious? What is behind this intense feeling of discomfort that sometimes seems to overwhelm us and prevent us from moving forward?
Origins of Anguish
To understand the real reason behind our anxiety, it is important to explore its origins and how it develops within us. Distress, in psychological terms, is defined as an unpleasant emotion that arises when we are faced with a perceived threat or danger, whether real or imagined. This emotion can manifest itself through physical, emotional and cognitive symptoms, such as nervousness, constant worry, muscle tension, among others.
Psychological factors
One of the factors that can trigger anxiety is fear. The fear of the unknown, of losing control, of failing, of being judged or rejected by others. These fears may be rooted in past experiences, limiting beliefs, or personal insecurities that fuel our anxiety and make us feel vulnerable.
In addition, a lack of skills to cope with stressful situations or the tendency to magnify problems and anticipate The worst can also contribute to our anguish. Lack of self-confidence and the inability to effectively manage our emotions can become a vicious cycle that feeds our anxiety and prevents us from finding adequate solutions to our problems.
Environmental and social factors
On the other hand, environmental and social factors also play an important role in our distress. Work stress, family problems, interpersonal conflicts, social pressure and unrealistic expectations can create an environment conducive to the development of anxiety and anguish. Feeling constantly evaluated, compared or misunderstood by others can affect our self-esteem and trigger negative emotions.
In addition, overexposure to stressful stimuli through the media, social networks or the digital environment in the that we live can increase our sense of insecurity and vulnerability. The constant need to be connected, to respond immediately to external demands and to maintain a perfect image in front of others can generate a level of demand and pressure that exceeds our capabilities and takes us to the limit of our strength.
The Impact of Distress on Our Mental Health
Distress not only affects our emotional well-being, but it can also have a significant impact on our mental health and quality of life. People who chronically experience high levels of distress may develop anxiety disorders, depression, sleep disorders, eating disorders, or other mental health problems that require professional care.
In addition, prolonged distress can weaken our immune system, impair our cognitive functioning and hinder our ability to concentrate, make decisions or solve problems effectively. This can negatively affect our work, academic, social and personal life, generating a vicious cycle of stress and discomfort that traps us in a downward spiral of negativity and discouragement.
Importance of Emotional Management
To address distress effectively, it is essential to develop emotional management skills that allow us to identify, express and regulate our emotions in a healthy way. Learning to recognize the triggers of our anxiety, challenge our irrational thoughts and adopt adaptive coping strategies can help us reduce the intensity and frequency of our episodes of distress.
Practicing relaxation techniques, meditation , mindfulness, physical exercise, cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy can also be beneficial in learning to manage stress, anxiety and distress constructively. These tools allow us to improve our emotional resilience, strengthen our self-esteem and promote a mental, emotional and physical balance that favors our comprehensive well-being.
How to Cope with Distress on a Day-to-Day basis?
To deal with anxiety on a daily basis, it is important to cultivate habits and routines that promote our emotional health and help us manage stress effectively. Some strategies that may be helpful include:
1. Establish limits and priorities
Learning to say "no" when necessary, delegate tasks, define realistic goals and establish a balance between work and personal life can help us reduce the burden of stress and pressure that we experience in our daily lives.
2. Maintain a social support network
Having the support of family, friends, colleagues or mental health professionals can be of great help in feeling understood, heard and supported in times of distress. Sharing our worries and emotions with trusted people can alleviate our emotional burden and promote better management of our difficulties.
3. Practice self-care
Devoting time to pleasurable activities, such as practicing a hobby, reading a book, taking a walk, cooking a new recipe or listening to relaxing music, can help us disconnect, recharge our batteries and reduce the intensity of stress. our anguish. Taking care of our body, mind and spirit is essential to maintain emotional balance and prevent the appearance of mental health problems.
4. Seek professional help
In cases of intense or persistent distress, it is essential to seek professional help through a psychologist, psychiatrist or other mental health specialist who can provide us with the support, guidance and tools necessary to overcome our emotional problems. Individual, group or family therapy can be a valuable resource to address our difficulties from a broader and more constructive perspective.
Conclusions
In conclusion, anguish is a complex emotion that can have multiple causes and manifestations in our lives. Understanding the real reason we feel distressed involves exploring our beliefs, fears, insecurities, and behavioral patterns that contribute to our anxiety and emotional distress. Identifying the triggers of our distress, adopting healthy coping strategies and seeking professional help when necessary are key steps to overcome our emotional problems and regain our comprehensive well-being.
Through self-knowledge, self-compassion and learning Continuing, we can transform our anguish into an opportunity for personal growth and emotional development. Facing our fears, accepting our vulnerabilities and working on our emotional resilience allows us to build a solid foundation to face life's challenges with greater confidence, serenity and balance. Remember that anguish is a natural emotion that we all experience at some point, but that we can learn to manage in a positive and constructive way to regain our inner peace and lasting happiness.