Peer counseling for the feelings of dread and anxiety

We understand that life can’t be plain-sailing all the time (if only!). With the pressure of balancing a career, caring for family, keeping up a social life in a volatile world, our body and minds can only handle so much. It’s normal to reach a point where you question your purpose and whether you’re actually “doing life” the way society says you should.

Although your feelings of anxiety are partly influenced by your environment, the root causes of dread and fear often stem from your own contemplations. Peer counseling for these thoughts and feelings could help you identify:

• Whether you’re harboring guilt about something that happened
• Whether you’re in this state because you lost a loved one and are now confronted with thoughts about your own death
• Whether you’re unfulfilled socially, personally or professionally
• If you’re unhappy with certain parts of yourself
• If you’re bottling up a unresolved conflict or trauma from your past

How do you deal with fear?

It's hard to think rationally when you're flooded with intense feelings of fear. Here are some of the most constructive and actionable ways to cope if you’re in a situation where you’re feeling anxious and fearful:

• Take a breath: We cannot emphasize how important this is. It may feel hard in the moment but breathing through feelings of panic will help slow your heart rate and help you feel more grounded.
• Take a step back: If you’re in a situation that’s making you feel nervous, temporarily remove yourself from it. Whether you’re in a social environment or in your office, taking a step back will help you gain a bit more perspective and a sense of control.
• Take a friend: If something like taking public transport makes you anxious, how about asking a friend to go with you? That way, you’ll feel safer and also gently introduce yourself into this new environment.
• Take a moment to accept that you aren’t perfect. We often set such high standards for ourselves that they’re often unattainable. Trying so hard to be perfect can do more harm than you know. Accepting that you’re human and that this moment of panic will pass is a constructive and introspective way of dealing with your fear.

Existential dread, fear, and worry: What’s the cause?

It’s becoming increasingly common to have what’s often referred to as an “existential crisis” — an experience that has people questioning several elements of their life and sense of self. This could come about as an accumulation of multiple life events that have bubbled over or been prompted by something major.

If you’re wondering how to deal with existential dread, peer counseling for anxiety and fear is a good starting point so that you can identify and empower yourself with knowledge about what’s contributing to your nervousness so that you can work towards a sustainable solution. Get in touch with the Peer Collective and choose a peer counselor with whom you can partner on your journey of healing.