As high as 18% of Americans have an anxiety disorder. Yes, we can say that anxiety is fairly common and is triggered by things around you that are not even threatening. It can impact you both physically and cognitively.

Anxiety is one of the most commonly misunderstood conditions. You can control or rather better manage anxiety by having a better understanding of what it is and its triggers. Introducing CBD oil to your everyday life can make a significant difference. In the meantime, here are 5 things about anxiety mental experts wish you knew:

1. Anxiety aims to keep you safe

Anxiety is quite normal among people. It is a healthy emotion that aims to inform you of any danger. For instance, if you didn’t feel anxiety, you would never run out of a burning building. Likewise, before crossing the street, you would never look both ways before taking a step forward.

However, anxiety alarm cannot be 100% foolproof. There are times when you get confused because your mind and your body respond like you are in a life-or-death situation, irrespective of whether or not you are in any real danger.

Public speaking or asking someone out might trigger your anxiety, irrespective of the fact that neither situation is likely to kill you. You can manage anxiety by learning to distinguish between real and false alarms.

2. Anxiety impacts you emotionally, physically, and cognitively

While most people consider anxiety an emotion, it also affects both your brain and body at the same time. For instance, you are susceptible to thinking more about things that trigger your anxiety when you feel anxious.

If you know how to calm both your mind and body every time you feel anxious, it becomes easier for you to face anxiety-provoking situations. Your body responds accordingly, as in your heart rate and your blood pressure slightly increases and you may break into a sweat. Well, such reactions prepare you for the required action.

3. Anxiety reduces when you change the environment

Addressing the environment is one major way to deal with anxiety. In fact, simply changing the situations in your life can effectively change how you feel about yourself. However, it is important to understand the situation to address it in the right manner. A wrong interpretation of a situation can be unhealthy for anyone.

For instance, avoiding things is a common strategy to cope with them. You might temporarily reduce your anxiety a bit by avoiding your bills; however, unpaid bills can create bigger problems in the long term, thus, compounding your anxiety in the future.

Conclusion

While anxiety is most common in America, yet it is the most underrated mental condition. Out of 18% of the population having anxiety, only 36% receive treatment. An Australian study revealed that an average person waits for about 8 years to get anxiety treatment, which is unfortunate since anxiety is treatable. Its treatment may consist of therapy, medication or both.