We Are More Anxious Than Ever

So What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is the signal that “informs the body that it should be ready to challenge” in dangerous situations. In a way,by worrying we are giving the message to our bodies be ready for the danger e are in. When the natural and necessary anxiety is felt, breathing and heart rate are accelerated, and more oxygen is provided to the muscles. So, the body is prepared for dangerous situations. When it is necessary to be aware of dangerous situations, the person remains alert with this impulse. Thanks to this impulse, which is called natural anxiety, it helps us in the situations such as a sudden intervention to the steering wheel in any dangerous situation in traffic and show better performance in the exam. In fact, it is necessary to worry, to deal with problems in daily life and to make quick decisions when faced with vital situations. So, in this aspect, anxiety is a useful and necessary thing. Anxiety is actually a panic button that protects us in dangerous situations.

According to the researches, the average level of anxiety has doubled compared to the 1950s. Modern human is now more anxious. Accordingly, the diagnosis of anxiety disorder has increased considerably.

So Why Are We So Anxious?

Because today’s life is more complex, more demanding and certainly more competitive. The options have increased remarkably and we are quite confused. In the past, we lived in relatively smaller circles with clearer and simpler lives. For example, we loved and married a girl or boy from the neighborhood. Now our minds are always with what we don’t choose. There was a neighborhood culture and a certain atmosphere of solidarity. There weren’t that many people who shamelessly tried to show off their wealth. The gap between the poor and the rich had not widened this much, and human values did not become so insignificant. Respect and love were still important values. Turkish films in that melodrama mood were the product of this climate and had a reflection in the society.

Now things have changed. We are in an age of “polished image” where the image and being visible mean everything. If you are not visible, if you are not in the network then you are almost invisible. The greatest threat to primitive man was the life threat, his greatest concern was survival. The situation is now very different for modern people. The biggest threat now is the “social threat”, namely belonging to a group, being liked, approved and not excluded. Therefore, skills such as communication, empathy, self-expression and emotional literacy have become much more important, but these skills are dulling because the human-machine interaction increases so much and the intensity of human-human communication decreases. This, of course, is something that increases the level of anxiety.

Because of the atmosphere of solidarity has disappeared, we live more isolated lives within our shells. People are generally more cruel, more selfish and more competitive nowadays. This is the psychological climate that naturally increases anxiety.

Business life is very complex and demanding, raising children is a very difficult task, being a child or a teenager is difficult, people are hard to understand. Of course, these and similar difficulties inevitably increase the level of ANXIETY.

So What Is The Antidote To Anxiety?

First of all, a solid self-confidence that is aware of its strength and weakness works well. Because anxiety is more fed by the feeling that “I cannot deal with it.” Developing healthy coping strategies will also work. If we have a high sense of self-worth, that is, if we manage to feel worthy, things are easier. Anxious person cannot tolerate uncertainty and always seeks certainty. In this sense, acquiring cognitive skills that will allow us to bear uncertainty is one of the necessary skills to overcome anxiety.

As the optimistic psychology team, we have much to say about anxiety. Without leaving optimism and determination, anxiety will never be an enemy of ours.It can easily be overcome with appropriate techniques. Man is a much greater than anxiety.

As the optimistic psychology team, we are ready to help you fight with anxiety and win a victory against it.