With everyone trying to adjust to the new ‘norm’, there has been a shift in people’s perspective andGe mental health. Let’s take a closer look into one type of anxiety which can be brought about by change and how this can relate to everyday life choices.
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
GAD is a long-term condition where you can feel anxious about many things and situations, it is generalised. It can be constant, and sufferers cannot relax. If a problem gets solved the sufferer will worry about something new. This can be life crippling.
Statistics from the www.nhs.uk suggest GAD is a common condition, estimated to affect up to 5% of the UK population.
Slightly more women are affected than men, and the condition is more common in people from the ages of 35 to 59.
This has got me thinking…
A dear friend of mine recently passed away. Sadly, cancer took her away at the tender age of 56 years. When she was first diagnosed we had a coffee and she told me all the things she was going to do before her time was up. She was always positive and determined. I believe she would have completed her bucket list but unfortunately her cruel illness stopped her far too soon.
A dear client of mine has wanted to join in with online classes throughout the entire lockdown. Today she managed to face her anxiety and joined us. As you can imagine everyone was really pleased to see her and she had a great time. After the session she regretted the lost time and wished she had done it sooner.
One of the things I have taken away from COVID is we really do not know how our lives will change and what challenges we are going to have to face. We cannot control everything that happens, we will have unexpected highlights and difficult challenges thrown at us. It is easy to sit back and wait for life to happen or we can shape it.
Six years ago, I made myself some promises as a result of a devastating life event. I kept very few of them. I did move to live by the sea (love it). But I planned to get in touch with old friends I had lost (failed). I was going to work at making close friendships and have girlie days out (failed). I was going to wing walk (you guessed it, failed).
I realised talking to others and analysing my own situation it is often fear and anxiety that stops us achieving our goals. It is easy to blame time and money that stops us achieving our aspirations, but the truth is if we really want something we need to sort out what is going on in our heads and breakdown the real barriers.
Sadly, many more people will suffer from GAD as a result of lockdown and isolation.
As fitness professionals we may find we will have the added challenge of having to support our clients struggling with their fears before we can help them achieve their goals.
Life really is too short, and we need to ensure we face our own barriers and have the tools to support others.
Ad-Lib Training are now offering the AIQ Mental Health Awareness and First Aid to individuals as an online course. It covers anxiety as well as many other mental health issues. You can do it in the comfort of your own home in your own time. Something less to worry about! To read more about the qualification click here
