Anxiety > Counseling Center > Marquette University

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a natural reaction to challenges or stressors in life. Anxiety can be helpful and adaptive, such as when studying for a test, as it can help focus attention and block-out distractions. Helpful anxiety tends to be short-term, focused on a particular area of worry, and of mild to moderate intensity. Anxiety becomes problematic when it is long-term or constant (i.e., worried even when you should be relaxing or there is nothing to worry about), when it does not seem associated with a particular event or situation (i.e., worried all of the time about everything), or when it is of significant intensity (e.g., panic attacks). There are several types of anxiety disorders, and we assist our clients at the Counseling Center in finding the appropriate solutions based on the type of anxiety they are experiencing.

What are the Symptoms of Anxiety?

Worry/Nervousness
Muscle tension
Difficulty sleeping
Upset stomach/Nausea
Loss of appetite
Difficulty breathing
Pounding heart
Trembling
Difficulty with concentration
Dizziness
Sweating

What Can I Do to Cope with Anxiety?

Learn relaxation techniques. Listen to a relaxation tape, practice deep breathing exercises, or sign up for a yoga class.
Get regular exercise. Physical activity not only relaxes your body, but also calms your mind and boosts your mood.
Reach out to friends. Just talking about your problems with someone who listens without judging can be very helpful for relieving stress.
Don't over schedule your day. Leave some time open for reading a book, listening to music, or simply sitting quietly.
Treat your body right. Eat a balanced diet, get adequate sleep, and avoid alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. You will have more energy and also be less vulnerable to the physical side-effects of stress.
Learn to say "No." Stop trying to please others all the time, taking on responsibilities that are not yours, or engaging in emotional demands that leave you feeling drained.
Use positive self-talk. Instead of producing worry by coming up with a variety of reasons you can't cope, use positive self-reinforcement, such as "I can handle this one step at a time."
Take charge. Be assertive and take responsibility for making your life what you want it to be. It is less stressful to make decisions and take action than to feel powerless and react to decisions made by others.
Know your limits. Be realistic about what you can accomplish in a day. It is better to accomplish less and do it well, than to do more poorly.
Try an App. So many apps address anxiety. Try using one from the link provided on the right.

Anxiety can be both emotionally and physically exhausting. Learn how to improve your coping skills now.

The Marquette University Counseling Center can help you develop better ways to deal with the stress in your life, and teach you skills to manage your anxiety more effectively. In fact, anxiety and stress management are some of the most common reasons that students come to the Counseling Center.

Call the Counseling Center at (414) 288-7172 to schedule an appointment.

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