“Anxiety's like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you very far.”
Today is the last day of classes for the students at the college where I work. Up next is finals, and for many that induces some anxiety.
This nytimes well blog article states, “Anxiety has now surpassed depression as the most common mental health diagnosis among college students…Nearly one in six college students has been diagnosed with or treated for anxiety within the last 12 months, according to the annual national survey by the American College Health Association.”
Interestingly, the article also mentions a new app for treating anxiety, called TAO (Therapist Assisted Online). (Because I assist faculty in getting funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), it pleases me that the technology/product is based on work supported by NSF#1448967!)
TAO provides an array of tools for online psychotherapy including educational materials, homework on mobile devices, video conferencing with a therapist, and weekly monitoring of progress. If you wonder what they offer in this app, the TAO website has a demo of Session 1: Program overview here. The online treatment program is from 7-10 weeks.
“Preliminary evidence from a year-long pilot study at the University of Florida suggests that TAO can deliver treatment outcomes that compare to or even exceed traditional face-to-face counseling.”
It’s not just tests that bring on anxiety, or just college students that struggle with it. Most of us, including me and some of my loved ones, wrestle with some worry or anxiety at least occasionally.
“Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths.” ― Charles H. Spurgeon
A few suggestions to manage and minimize your anxiety --
15 steps you can take every day
Take a deep breath.
Get active.Sleep well.
Challenge an anxious thought.
Say an encouraging statement.
Stay connected to others.
Avoid caffeine.
Avoid mind-altering substances.
Do something you enjoy.
Take a break.
Problem-solve.
Pick up a book.
Engage in calming practices.
Contact a therapist.
Accept your anxiety.
May you find relief from anxiety in this early summer. May you be calm, joyful, at ease. May you be well.
Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking God with a thankful heart. And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7
"If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath."
- Amit Ray, Om Chanting and Meditation
Walk Slowly (Danna Faulds)
It only takes a reminder to breathe,
a moment to be still, and just like that,
something in me settles, softens, makes
space for imperfection. The harsh voice
of judgment drops to a whisper and I
remember again that life isn't a relay
race; that we will all cross the finish
line; that waking up to life is what we
were born for. As many times as I
forget, catch myself charging forward
without even knowing where I'm going,
that many times I can make the choice
to stop, to breathe, and be, and walk
slowly into the mystery.
