All of us experience anxiety, be it before an important exam or an upcoming presentation, making it a common experience. But sometimes, anxiety can hit like a wave without an obvious trigger, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and confused. The truth is that even a random wave of anxiety can have underlying causes, like stress, unconscious thoughts, unresolved emotions, etc. Let’s understand the reasons behind these waves of anxiety and look at a few ways you can manage them more effectively.
Why do I get waves of anxiety?
Anxiety is a complex emotion and experience; thus, the reason for random waves of anxiety might differ for everyone, but it is important to know that anxiety always has a cause, even if we aren’t aware of it in the present moment. Having said that, here are a few reasons why we might experience unexplained waves of anxiety.
-
Stress
Anxiety is often a response to underlying stress, especially if someone has been undergoing significant stress for a long time. This is because stress is likely to change hormone levels in the body, making it difficult to cope with anxiety.
-
Parenting
During childhood, kids must have autonomy and receive encouragement to explore healthy risks. However, if a parent is excessively anxious about their child’s well-being, they might unknowingly pass the excessive worry onto their children. This transmission can result in the child feeling uncertain about themselves and their environment. Sometimes, anxiety can be a learned response to childhood trauma as well.
-
Emotional Triggers
Sometimes, certain actions or events in our environment can trigger deep-seated and suppressed emotions. Some events may also trigger difficult or traumatic memories from the past. This mostly happens at an unconscious level but can lead to sudden changes in mood, causing anxiety.
-
Anxiety Disorder
It is normal to experience fleeting waves of anxiety from time to time, but if this happens often, it can be a sign of an underlying anxiety disorder, especially if you find anxiety interfering with your regular activities.
-
Physical Health Issues
Some health issues, such as heart rhythm irregularities (arrhythmia) and thyroid problems, can cause or make anxiety symptoms worse. Additionally, certain medications or substances have the potential to trigger anxiety symptoms.
How to manage anxiety flare-ups?
Strategy |
Explanation |
How It Helps |
|---|---|---|
Relaxation and Breathing |
Anxiety often speeds up breathing, worsening anxious feelings. Deep breathing exercises combined with muscle relaxation help regulate the body’s response. | Slows the nervous system, reduces physical tension, and helps you feel more in control. |
Don’t Try to Fight It |
Avoid resisting anxious thoughts. Instead, observe them without judgment and reflect on potential triggers. | Reduces the intensity of anxiety and increases self-awareness by preventing the “fight” response. |
Reach Out for Support |
Talk to a supportive friend or family member during anxious moments. | Provides emotional comfort, reduces isolation, and helps you feel understood. |
Distractions |
Engage your mind in activities like music, hobbies, or tasks to shift focus. | Diverts attention from anxious thoughts, helping the mind calm down and break the cycle of anxiety. |
Visualization Techniques |
Imagine a calm, safe place or picture a recent happy memory. Engage all your senses—imagine how your body feels. What do you see? What do you touch? Any sounds that you hear in that memory or visual? | Helps the mind focus on positive imagery, reduces stress, and promotes relaxation. |
How can therapy help?
If sudden waves of anxiety are a regular occurrence, you might want to consider seeking help from a therapist. A therapist can help you find the root cause of your anxiety while also developing healthy coping mechanisms. Click here to book a session with our trained therapists right away
Conclusion:
Anxiety is a common, yet complex, feeling that manifests in a variety of ways. Sometimes, anxiety might manifest in the form of random waves, making it difficult to cope. However, breathing techniques, distractions, and reaching out to a friend or a professional can all be effective ways of coping with these waves of anxiety.
References:
- Feeling Anxious for No Reason? This Is for You. (2019, May 12). Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/anxiety/feeling-anxious-for-no-reason
- Free Floating Anxiety: Symptoms, Causes, and Coping. (2022, November 15). https://www.psycom.net/anxiety/free-floating-anxiety
- Free Floating Anxiety: Symptoms, Treatments, & How to Cope. (n.d.). Choosing Therapy. Retrieved January 16, 2024, from https://www.choosingtherapy.com/free-floating-anxiety/
