8 Common Anxiety Triggers
In order to gain control of anxiety, it is important to understand what is triggering it to begin with. When those uncomfortable feelings of panic, fear, nervousness and nausea can make a severe impact in a person’s complete mood. Sometimes those feelings are actually nervous to experience but when they are at extreme levels - it could interfere with enjoying things in our daily lives.
A great strategy to learn your triggers is to monitor your feelings. When those negative feelings begin to creep up on you take a moment to look at your surroundings. A great idea is to carry a journal with you. This will allow you to document the different occurrences to give you a clearer breakdown of how often and severe these anxious feelings are actually being felt.
Below our team has put together a list of common anxiety triggers that many individuals suffer from. This list might help you jumpstart the process of identifying your own triggers. Remember, learning your triggers is empowering you to take control and create coping methods to deal with these emotions in the future.
1. Finances
Financial responsibilities are a common anxiety trigger. Every month we have to balance our checkbooks, review our budgets and pay our bills. We know it isn't the most enjoyable thing to do but it must be done. Since we know this is a frequent occurrence in life - finding a way to cope with this trigger will reduces the amount of anxious feelings greatly.
2. Children’s Performance in School
This past year with COVID-19 has brung on another level of stress for parents than we have ever seen before. Parents now having to fill the shoes of teachers has been no easy task. Not to mention virtual learning, children unable to congregate with their peers… well the list goes on. A common trigger for mom’s and dad’s is worrying about their child’s performance in school. Is their homework done? Did they submit it? Do they need extra help?
3. Away from Family
Our support systems play an important role in our happiness. Having loved ones close by makes our days a lot more pleasurable. When our friends and family move away or we ourselves move we start to feel, well, lonely. This is a very normal and common trigger of anxiety when simply missing our favorite people!
4. The Future
The unknown can be scary. Not knowing the outcomes that our decisions will bring can make a lot of people nervous and uncomfortable.
5. Work
Many people who suffer from anxiety notice this feeling come on as they are pulling into the parking lot at work or signing on their computer in the morning. Their chest starts to feel tight, heart racing… these are sure signs the anxiety is beginning. Taking the tip to look at what is driving those feelings at work will help identify the root of the problem. Is it your boss, a co-worker, the environment? Take a moment to reflect!
6. Social Settings
You know that feeling when you are walking into a big party and there are crowds all around you? When you begin to open the door to enter it feels like all eyes are on you? Anxiety is at an all time high - we know. We wish there was a switch that we could simply turn off this feeling for you but at least acknowledging the trigger will allow you to cope with the feeling. Simply suggestion: Entering the next social setting with your spouse or friend will help make you feel a little more comfortable.
7. Dating
Will he/she think I am cute? Where will we meet? What will we talk about? I don't want to eat in front of them! These are all common things people who are dating think about. To the naked eye some of those thoughts seem normal. However, dating can be a very overwhelming experience to others who suffer from anxiety that completely stops them in their tracks from finding their perfect match.
8. Anxiety Itself
Many who have anxiety get anxious feelings just thinking about their anxiety. You are not alone, this is very common. By thinking about anxiety it increases the chances that those uncomfortable feelings such as restlessness, trouble concentrating and difficulty sleeping will start to begin.
No matter what your trigger is, preparation is the key antidote to overcome those anxious feelings. Once you identify your triggers the next step is to make a game plan for yourself to go through those certain situations more prepared and comfortable. A great example is if you know social settings gives you anxiety; well make a little list of items you can talk about with other guest while you are in attendance. Preparation is everything!
Remember, give yourself time. Overcoming things that have triggered you is going to take patience and dedication but we know you can do it!