Anxiety

By Guylaine Fortin

Feeling overwhelmed by anxiety? You’re not alone! In Quebec, one in two people report feeling anxious, and women are twice as likely to experience anxiety as men. These statistics, derived from a 2019 survey conducted by Léger, reflect a steadily increasing level of anxiety over the past 30 years. The ongoing pandemic, unjustifiable war, and climate crisis certainly do not contribute to our peace of mind.

Despite what some might claim, there is no miracle cure for anxiety. It can take time to find a method or resource that works among the myriad of available options. Recognizing one’s anxious state is the first step. From there, we can try to self-monitor, to act as our own guardian angel, much like we would with a child to protect them from a perilous situation. Being kind to oneself involves accepting one’s vulnerability, listening to oneself, and finding ways to minimize the effects of anxiety.

Adopting a balanced lifestyle should be our first reflex:

• Sleep 7 to 9 hours per night and maintain regular hours
• Follow a healthy and balanced diet
• Respect your limits, do not push your body beyond its capacities
• Avoid psychoactive substances such as caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and drugs
• Engage in activities that boost morale (sports, gardening, artistic creation, etc.)
• Practice relaxation, yoga, or meditation
• Limit anxiety-inducing situations as much as possible
• Trust others, share your emotions with a close friend or health professional

A promising study on anxiety research

A study on floatation therapy published in 2016 by a team of Swedish scientists from Karlstad University offers a glimmer of hope. The experiment involved a sample of 50 people divided into two groups: the first served as a control group, while the other half benefited from twelve floatation sessions spread over six months. The participants, aged 18 to 65, all suffered from generalized anxiety, some level of depression, insomnia, and difficulty regulating their emotions. Unsurprisingly, no changes were recorded in the control group. However, anxiety symptoms were significantly reduced in the treatment group, with one in three patients reporting complete remission by the end of the experiment. Interestingly, it was the patients with the most severe anxiety symptoms who reported the most beneficial effects.