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There are reasons you’re anxious: technology, political and social unrest, and family demands, to name a few.

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The level of anxiety in our population has risen dramatically in the last 20 years. Among females ages 18-25, it has tripled. (1) The change is attributed to the explosion in technology as well as political and social unrest around the globe.

Our culture constantly feeds anxiety via TV, radio, and print media with a continuous barrage of alarming information. We feel less control over everything. Add that to personal stressors: texts, phone calls, relationship conflicts, medical issues, family’s needs and the daily frustration with our sophisticated devices that can easily go wrong with one keystroke.

Are you always scanning for problems and trying to prepare for “what ifs”? Are you scrolling for hours a day? Do you believe being prepared for any eventuality is the best way to keep yourself safe from distress, pain, or loss? If you focus on the ever-increasing reportage of threats, you feel pressed into constant disaster planning and attention to media and electronics.

Anxiety can be free-floating and attach to anything, or it can be more focused on a future, specific event. Will I pass my exams? Will I survive my surgery? Will my wedding go as planned? I’m leaving for Italy in September, but will there be air traffic issues? Will I be happy with the accommodations? What should I do if I don’t like them? What strategies do I need to put in place to deal with a terrorist attack?

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If this sounds all too familiar to you,........

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