4 Things You Need To Know About Worry
What is worry?
According to a Harvard Health publication Worry is a component of anxiety. According to Dr. Marquez, there are three main components to anxiety:
physiological
emotional
cognitive
Read more about these components here.
Anxiety can be a natural response to a threat or stress to help protect us. For example, our minds and bodies can trigger the fight-or-flight response when faced with a dangerous threat. In short, anxiety isn’t always bad and there are tools available to help manage it or deal with upcoming worries and not let them build up. For example, ‘the worry tree’.
What is the worry tree?
The worry tree uses “Cogitative Behavioural Therapy” CBT techniques to help you notice and challenge your worries. It can also help create an action plan for managing worries. – NHS 2021.
It is adapted from Butler and Hope’s (1995) approach to worry and anxiety.
It was designed to be used in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) where individuals were found to be suffering from “analysis paralysis” when faced with complex anxiety-inducing situations.
How we look at stressful situations (that sometimes may be out of our control) can affect how we feel and behave. This tool is designed to help you look at a problem or stressful situation in a practical way. Instead of constantly thinking about worries this tool guides you into action or ‘letting the worry go’ if there is nothing you can do about it.
Where is the worry tree?
Download a copy and place it by your workspace to remind you to “troubleshoot” your anxiety or worry when it arises.
Consider drawing your own based on the downloadable template.
Take a screenshot – keep it with you wherever you go!
This resource can be used in combination with the other mental wellbeing tips listed in this CG Zest Wellness blog.
For more resources on mental wellbeing log onto your CG Zest Wellness App – check out Journeys, add a mindfulness healthy habit, and more here.
What to do if worry becomes overwhelming?
This tool can be used as part of general self-care, however, if anxiety or stress becomes persistent and starts to affect your daily life it would be recommended to seek professional help by speaking to your health care provider. Remember – You are not alone, and help is available.
Worry Tips
Talk to your Doctor
Speaking with your primary healthcare provider/or mental health professional is a great place to start.
They will be able to direct you to local resources that will meet your mental health needs based on a clinical assessment. Sometimes stress and anxiety may be linked to a health condition, speaking with your primary care provider about this will open the conversation for holistic care.
Try these tips to help start the mental health conversation.
Consider writing down a note to pass to your doctor that explains how you have been feeling. Mention sleep, appetite, the social impact of your stress/anxiety.
Consider bringing a close friend or confidant to your appointment who can help support you in expressing your mental health concerns.
Know your insurance benefits
Knowing your mental healthcare benefits and what you have access to on your plan will make it easier to avail of them if you ever need them. CG customers can log in to their medical portal to learn more!
TOP TIP: Check your insurance coverage for the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Our CG EAP service offers short-term professional counseling in a convenient confidential manner over the phone for Premier Health Customers.
Stay informed of mental wellbeing support during COVID-19.
Community services supporting mental wellbeing are available on official government and health websites. Links are available here.
Sources:
American Psychology Association: https://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety/disorders
Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/do-i-have-anxiety-or-worry-whats-the-difference-2018072314303
