Words of Wellness are resources for students and the college community to access and utilize to improve and maintain their overall wellness.<\/p>\n The Wellness Center\u2019s Counseling and Wellness Services are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for counseling, consultation, and referral needs to currently registered students, in person or on a remote basis either by phone or Zoom video sessions, but we wanted to share additional resources that may be beneficial during this time.<\/p>\n Today, we are focusing on anxiety. From Therapistaid.com: “Anxiety is a mental and physical reaction to perceived threats. In small doses, anxiety is helpful. It protects us from danger and focuses our attention on problems. But when anxiety is too severe, or occurs too frequently, it can become debilitating.” As we continue to navigate life during a pandemic, making many adjustments to our daily routines and how we navigate the world, we are\u00a0 living in stressful and uncertain times. This stress and uncertainty can contribute to symptoms of anxiety, among other mental health concerns. Below you will find information identifying what anxiety is, the cycle of anxiety, how to support someone with anxiety, as well as information about suicide and college and community support resources.<\/p>\n Understanding Anxiety<\/strong> The\u00a0What is Anxiety<\/a>?\u00a0worksheet presents a simple, easy-to-understand overview of anxiety. Topics include symptoms, types of anxiety, the cycle of avoidance, and common treatments such as CBT, relaxation skills, and exposure.<\/p>\n The Cycle of Anxiety The cycle of anxiety is a process where a person avoids their fears, and as a result, those fears grow increasingly powerful. Avoidance becomes increasingly difficult to resist, and the anxiety continues to grow worse. Many anxiety treatments work by breaking this cycle. They focus on facing fears, rather than avoiding them.<\/p>\n In this four-minute video, the cycle of anxiety is broken down and explained step-by-step, by Woody Schuldt, a mental health counselor.<\/p>\n Video Link: What is the Cycle of Anxiety? by TherapistAid.com<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/chronicle.hvcc.edu\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/wellness-spa.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPsychoeducation is an important early step in the treatment of anxiety disorders. The understanding and normalization of anxiety will allow people to better recognize their own symptoms, and understand the rationale behind common treatments.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>“When the uncomfortable symptoms of anxiety feel like too much, one of the simplest ways to feel better is avoidance. This means avoiding the source of anxiety, or numbing the uncomfortable feelings. The good news is, avoidance works… for a little bit. The bad news is, the relief that avoidance brings is temporary, and the anxiety tends to come back worse than before.<\/p>\n