Fear is a normal physical reaction to potential danger. Your body goes on high alert so that you can react quickly.

Sometimes anxiety arises even though there is no immediate danger at that moment. The reason for your anxiety is not always immediately apparent. Yet your body still reacts as if there were a danger.

Anxiety can have various causes. Often, several factors are at play at the same time.

Anxiety symptoms can, for example, be caused by:

a life-changing event such as an accident, illness or the loss of a loved one;
long-term stress or tension;
fatigue or lack of rest;
worrying a lot;
to be afraid of losing control;
concerns about what others think;
negative expectations regarding situations or events.

As there may be several contributing factors, we will look at your personal situation together and consider what is affecting your symptoms.

Anxiety can manifest itself in various ways. Some people notice it mainly in their bodies. Others notice it mainly in their thoughts or in the way they behave.

You may, for example, notice that:

if your heart is beating fast or you feel short of breath;
you start to sweat, shake or feel dizzy;
you worry a lot or are constantly thinking about danger;
you avoid situations out of fear;
whether you are seeking reassurance or constantly checking things;
you have less freedom in what you do;
Avoiding the issue may provide short-term relief. In the longer term, however, this often means that the anxiety persists or becomes more intense.

A healthy lifestyle can help you cope better with anxiety symptoms in everyday life. It is not a substitute for treatment, but it can contribute to recovery and resilience. What helps varies from person to person.

Healthy habits often don’t develop all at once. Small changes are usually easier to stick to than making lots of changes all at once. Getting enough sleep, maintaining a regular routine, relaxing and taking time to recover can help you cope better with stress. Some people also find that certain habits, such as cutting down on caffeine, bring greater physical calm.

If you would like support in adopting healthy habits relating to sleep, exercise, relaxation or recovery, our lifestyle coaches working with you to find solutions that suit your everyday life.

There is a lot you can do yourself to reduce anxiety symptoms or make them more manageable. Although anxiety does not always disappear straight away, small changes in your daily life can help you get a better handle on your symptoms.

For example, you could:

Ensuring sufficient sleep and a regular daily routine;
Regular exercise;
Doing relaxation exercises, such as breathing or mindfulness exercises;
Limit caffeine and other stimulants;
Continue to take part in daily activities, even if they cause anxiety;
Recognising and exploring anxious thoughts;
Maintaining social contacts and seeking support from others;
Allowing sufficient time for relaxation and recovery;
Practising step by step with situations that cause anxiety.

It is normal for anxiety to increase at times when you practise or engage in something you find nerve-wracking. By not constantly avoiding such situations, the brain gradually learns that these situations are often less dangerous than they feel.

If anxiety is having a significant impact on your daily life, treatment can help. Together, we will look at which treatment best suits your symptoms and situation.

The treatment can help with:

worrying and negative thoughts;
tension and anxiety;
dealing with anxiety-inducing situations;
avoidance behaviour;
coping with traumatic events.

Our psychologists Various treatments are used. Cognitive behavioural therapy is often employed. You will then learn to deal differently with thoughts that intensify anxiety. You will also practise, step by step, dealing with situations that trigger anxiety.

Sometimes ACT is a suitable treatment for anxiety symptoms. ACT stands for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. It helps you learn to cope better with difficult feelings and anxiety.

When anxiety is linked to a traumatic event, trauma treatment such as EMDR can help.

Anxiety not only affects how you feel, but also what you do in your daily life. You may find that you are less active, tire more easily or find it harder to keep going with activities. It can also take a lot of energy to cope with stress or stimuli. As a result, it can become more difficult to find a good balance between what you want to do and what you are capable of.

If anxiety symptoms are affecting your day-to-day functioning, our occupational therapists We’ll work with you to identify what has become difficult in your daily life. For example, how you manage your energy, cope with stimuli and organise your daily activities. Together, we’ll look for practical solutions and habits that help you sustain your activities more effectively and experience greater balance.

What do you think of our website?

Anxiety

Was this information helpful?

Work on your health with the Rondom app

Find a healthcare provider near you