I'm Anxious About Everything Now

“I’m having trouble sleeping. My mind won’t settle. I’m nervous and fidgety. I can’t concentrate,” Mary said, gently rocking back and forth.

“In fact, I seem to be anxious about everything,” she concluded.

Mary had recently lost her husband, Trevor. No wonder she was anxious.

Anxiety often accompanies grief. Even normally calm individuals have their share during a loss.

Everything is changing. You’re grieving what you lost. You don’t know what’s ahead. You’ve never been here before. Some anxiety would be natural.

Grief initiates a fight-or-flight response. Your brain interprets you’re in danger, and it acts to protect you. Anxiety preps you to do battle or to run.

Give yourself a break. If you’re expecting to sail through this, that’s not realistic. You’ll get anxious, and that’s okay.

Here’s a grief affirmation for today:

“I may get anxious, but that doesn’t mean I’m in danger. It will pass.” 

If you’re experiencing panic attacks and anxiety is impairing your life, it’s time to seek professional help.

Contact your medical doctor or a mental health professional (the best route is to use both). They’ll help you devise a plan for managing your emotions during this time.

Needing help isn’t weakness. Seeking help is courageous and wise.

(Adapted from the award-winning bestseller Heartbroken: Healing from the Loss of a Spouse)