The Session: The Impact of Anxiety on our brains and bodies

Matthew 6:33: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

· Mental Anxiety can cause feelings of dread, fear, panic, or uneasiness. It can also lead to difficulty concentrating, irritability, and a sense of detachment from yourself or the world. People with anxiety may also have obsessive thoughts, flashbacks, or nightmares. Emotional Anxiety can lead to low mood and depression, and can make it difficult to maintain relationships with friends, family, and colleagues. It can also increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

These can include ( Physical )

· a churning feeling in your stomach

· feeling light-headed or dizzy

· pins and needles

· feeling restless or unable to sit still

· headaches, backache or other aches and pains

· faster breathing

· a fast, thumping or irregular heartbeat

· sweating or hot flushes

· sleep problems

· grinding your teeth, especially at night

· nausea (feeling sick)

· needing the toilet more or less often

· changes in your sex drive

· having panic attacks.

Treatment

The Christian cannot worry about a situation if he trusts God in the situation. Jesus finished his teaching on anxiety by saying, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” This is the crux of the issue of anxiety. This is the heart of the cure!

The Bible lists anxiety as a common problem throughout human history. Fear and lack of control are often the underlying reasons for anxiety. Behind fear, there is often doubt and a lack of trust in God's sovereignty over our lives. Our anxieties, fears, and doubts create barriers to a deeper faith in God.

Treatment Implications

· Anxiety is a sign that we are not trusting our God enough. The higher, the anxiety, the lower the trust is in our God.

· If we can change what we are thinking we can change what we are feeling

· Sleep - There’s a direct correlation between low levels of sleep and higher levels of anxiety

· Poor sleep leads to worrying. Worrying leads to poor sleep. Worrying about sleep is like your mind trying to fight itself. That's a horrible place to be.

(Mind.org.uk)

How did I know you would bring THIS UP???? 😊

· Stress is The body reacting to what the mind is thinking. If the mind is stressed and anxious the body will react to it. ADRENALIN and CORTISOL are released as well as Epinephrine

· It creates panic and a crisis reaction that is life interrupting

· 3 Culprits that are ingested that ignite anxiety ALCOHOL, CAFFEINE and SUGARY FOODS

Other treatments:

· Walk, jog, or work out. Physical activity can improve your mood and help you sleep better.

· Eat healthy meals regularly. Good nutrition helps your body and your mind.

· Sleep well. Getting enough quality sleep can help you feel better during the day.

· Practice relaxation techniques. A shower, deep breathing exercises, or time in a quiet place to collect your thoughts can help relieve stress and make you feel more at ease.

· Get involved. Volunteer, join a club, or take up a hobby to share your strengths and wisdom with others. Take the focus off of you, focus on someone else!