Anxiety: My Experience

Honestly, I have struggled with feelings of insecurity for most of my life.

In his 1943 paper "A Theory of Human Motivation," American psychologist Abraham Maslow placed safety needs at the second level of the hierarchy of human needs. Safety needs encompass the second-most basic needs, such as job security, health, and safe environments.

Safety needs are fundamental. In my experience, Maslow was indeed correct; all my thoughts and fears arise from a deep sense of insecurity, which has been with me since early childhood. My parents' constant arguments, their divorce, and our family's financial struggles created an environment filled with uncertainty.

Constantly searching for a better-paying job only increased my anxiety in early adulthood. After I became a mother, the demands of caring for my child added even more stress. As a result, I began to feel trapped in a cycle of anxiety. I started to view danger in everything around me and found it impossible to relax.

Anxiety has always been a part of my life, so I didn't think I needed professional help. However, the pandemic intensified my anxiety, and I found myself worrying every day about developing a serious illness.

Too many responsibilities - anxiety hell

Having too many responsibilities often leads to severe anxiety for me. How can I accomplish everything? What should I prioritize? All these questions create chaos in my mind.

When my daughter started school, I felt like I was going to school with her. I wanted her to truly understand the material rather than just study for a grade. If something was unclear to her and the teacher didn’t have time to explain it in detail, I took the time to explain it to her myself. 

When the pandemic began, online classes also started, which was incredibly exhausting for me. Most responsibilities fell on my shoulders: managing online teaching, handling my daily work, and taking care of duties at home. It felt overwhelming, as there was always something waiting to be done. On the other hand, my husband was fully focused on his work because he earned significantly more than I did.

I reached a point where I felt I could no longer function. Depression set in, and I experienced frequent bouts of crying. That’s when I made a crucial decision: I sought professional help. I visited a psychiatrist who provided psychotherapy and prescribed medication. The combination of these treatments significantly eased my anxiety, bringing me a sense of relief and control over my mental health. This was the most empowering step I took in my battle with anxiety.

However, my anxiety didn’t completely vanish; it was still present.

Summertime and the Living is Easy (or Easier😊)

Then came the summer of 2022, one of the hottest summers I can remember. However, I enjoy summer! Every day, I went to the pool with my family, and that’s when the "click" happened. After swimming, my anxiety dissipated almost completely.

I realized that I needed to tackle my anxiety by combining professional help with physical activity that could alleviate it. For me, swimming is the ideal exercise. Engaging in physical activity, especially swimming, releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. For each of you, it might be any sport you enjoy; the key is to find something that you love, and that gets your body moving.

The battle with anxiety is not a one-time event; it's a daily struggle, a war that we face every day. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed at times. What’s important is to keep fighting and moving forward.

When summer ended, I continued to visit indoor pools whenever my schedule allowed. I also tried to strike a balance by reducing various obligations since having too many responsibilities tends to increase my anxiety.

It's important not to overwhelm yourself with obligations. Only take on what you can manage, and always set aside time for physical activities that help reduce anxiety. This balance is essential for effectively managing anxiety. Remember, your mental health is just as important as your other responsibilities. Take care of yourself.

Good luck!

Remember, the battle with anxiety is not a single battle. It's a long war. It's a daily struggle that many of us face. But you're not alone in this.

I have come to realize that in my daily life, I need to focus on managing my anxiety. At the moment, I combine swimming with gym workouts, and I can confidently say that, alongside professional help, this has been the most effective approach in managing my anxiety.