I feel anxious

Anxiety is the body’s response to danger or a threatening situation. In the case of bereavement there are many situations or thoughts that might prompt you to feel afraid e.g. “How will I cope without my lost loved one?”, “How will I go back to work?”, “How will people treat me?”

Watch our short video to learn more about anxiety and how to manage it.

The physical sensations of anxiety can be very distressing, especially if one is unfamiliar with their precise origin, often leading to a sense of feeling overwhelmed or on the verge of losing control.

Addressing Anxiety

When faced with intense anxiety, people often turn to relaxation techniques as a first line of defense. However, attempting to learn these techniques in the midst of heightened anxiety is akin to trying to master riding a bike on a busy motorway in the rain—it’s challenging and overwhelming.

Effectively managing anxiety requires dedicated practice and consistency. It involves incorporating calming exercises into your routine regularly, not just when anxiety peaks.

To start this journey, we suggest taking the smallest step by practicing controlled deep breathing. One technique we recommend is the 7-11 breathing exercise—inhaling for 7 seconds and exhaling for 11 seconds—an effective method for reducing anxiety.

Explore the numerous relaxation audio exercises offered on our Audio page. All of them are freely accessible for both playback and download.

Please note: If you are suffering with any of the above symptoms on a persistent basis we recommend contacting your GP to seek further support.