PPMW | Managing Anxiety

We’ve joined with Inspire Workplaces in an initiative called PPMW (Promoting positive mental wellbeing) to help employers educate, raise awareness and support their workforces.

This week we are featuring an article entitled Managing Anxiety

Anxiety is a felt, physical reaction often to a perceived threatening situation which activates the release of stress hormones, providing an energy burst that fuels the automatic ‘fight or flight’ response.

An article by xxxxx xxxxxx

Signs & Symptoms

Anxiety can be present for many people in response to stressful events. Where it becomes excessive, it may indicate the presence of an anxiety disorder, which requires further investigation and treatment.

• Physical symptoms include:
• Sweating, clammy hands.
• Stomach upset.
• Ringing in the ears, blurred vision, dizziness.
• Difficulty breathing in, over-breathing, tight chest, light-headed.
• Increased heart rate.
• Panic (sudden episodes of extreme anxiety or dread).

Psychological symptoms include:

• Fear.
• Irritability/restlessness.
• Poor concentration.
• Fatigue.
• Disturbed sleep.

Some tips to help reduce anxiety...

At some point in time all of us will inevitably experience some level of anxiety. In  the  short-term  anxiety  can  be  useful  to  help  direct  focus,  improve  performance and motivate us.

However, if anxiety levels persist and overwhelm your capacity to concentrate, it can have a negative impact on your performance and your life.

Here are some simple tips to help control and reduce anxiety:

• Reduce or avoid stimulants such as caffeine and alcohol, as they can  intensify anxiety levels.
• Take regular exercise.
• Ensure you take time out to relax.
• Establish a regular sleep pattern.
• If you notice an increase in anxiety, talk to someone you trust.
• Follow  the  90:10  principle.  Accept  that  10  percent  of  life  events  are   outside of your control, but recognise that 90 percent of the time you can control your reaction, this can turn the stress volume up or down.
• Avoid ‘if only’ thinking. You can learn from the past but you can’t change it.
• Avoid ‘what if’ thinking. You can’t predict the future.

Remember: If your anxiety persists or intensifies consult your GP as soon as possible.  

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This article is by Inspire Workplaces from their Wellbeing Support Hub.

The hub contains instant access to a range of information, guidance and screening that is tailored specifically to help care for individual employee wellbeing needs.

For access to the Support Hub (including costs) contact n.higgins@inspirewellbeing.org?cc=info@nisg.org.uk&subject=Your%20first%20mailto

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Dislaimer

This article is for informational/educational purposes only. Nothing in the material provided constitutes legal or professional advice. NI Safety Group (Inspire Workplaces) do not accept any liability whatsoever for the contents, usage or onward transmission including any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on its contents. In providing this information NI Safety Group  (and Inspire Workplaces) are not acting in an advisory capacity or as a health and safety consultants and it remains your responsibility to ensure that you are meeting your legal obligations.

The material provided is protected by copyright. It may not be copied, reproduced, republished, downloaded, posted, broadcast or transmitted in any way except for your own personal, non-commercial use. Prior written consent of NI Safety Group and Inspire Workplaces must be obtained for any other use of material.