Each week, ICBA’s Jordan Bateman reflects on what we’ve learned as we participate in ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program. This program is free for all ICBA members – check out icba.ca/wellness for details.
As kids, we learn that too much of a good thing can become overwhelming and even harmful.
Anxiety is like that; it’s a normal part of life that alerts us to potentially dangerous events. But for people with an anxiety condition, this can quickly spiral out of control. Normal feelings can escalate and interfere with so many of the things and relationships we enjoy.
As we discuss in this week’s ICBA Wellness Toolbox Talk, an anxiety disorder comes with irrational and excessive fear, apprehension, tense feelings, and a difficulty managing daily tasks and/or distress connected with those tasks.
Anxiety disorders can become so strong that it will actually cause physical symptoms, and can even be mistaken for a heart attack. The heart races, you lose your breath, you begin to sweat, and your mind quickly adds on even more anxiety to what you’re feeling. It’s an awful thing to have to deal with.
But there is help, both through counselling and, if necessary, medication. If you’re feeling this, talk to your doctor, a mental health professional, or your benefits’ Employee Assistance Program. Don’t just try and suffer through it – get help. You deserve to feel free!
ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program is helping more than 75 companies and 7,000+ construction professionals better understand mental health. The program is free for ICBA members — see icba.ca/wellness.
