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Anxiety is a massive issue for many people, but I see a lot of people who seem to get hit especially hard. Societal pressures often make things worse, creating a cycle that feels impossible to break. But there's hope! Therapy can help by allowing you space to process things in a way we don't often have in our everyday lives, helping you heal and build resilience. Let’s dive into how societal pressures mess with our heads and how therapy can turn things around.
The Pressure Cooker
We're constantly bombarded with all sorts of expectations. These pressures show up in every part of life – how we look, our careers, relationships, and family life. Society and social media set some crazy beauty standards. Many of us end up feeling like we’re never good enough, which tanks our self-esteem and ramps up anxiety. We're often expected to juggle careers, family responsibilities (whether that involves having children or not), looking after our own wellbeing, eating healthily, going to the gym, and somehow also having time to have relationships with our loved ones. Trying to do it all is super overwhelming and can easily make you feel like you’re constantly failing.
Traditional gender roles often put women in nurturing and supportive roles in families and relationships. This can lead to neglecting our own needs, creating a lot of anxiety. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok flood us with perfect images and lifestyles, making us feel like we’re always falling short. The endless comparison game is a huge anxiety trigger.
How therapy Can Help
Therapy is a powerful tool for tackling the roots of anxiety, especially those stemming from societal pressures. It works by helping you identify and work to change deep-seated negative beliefs. For instance, if you believe you need to be perfect in everything, therapy can help you accept that it’s okay to be imperfect.
Seeing a therapist can seriously boost your self-esteem by reinforcing positive self-images and reducing the impact of external judgments. This is super helpful for those struggling with societal standards of beauty and success. Therapy gives you the power to control your thoughts and actions to set healthier boundaries and prioritise your well-being, cutting down the anxiety of meeting others' expectations.
A good therapist will be able to customise their approach to tackle your specific anxiety triggers, whether it’s about body image, career pressures, or relationship dynamics. By working through these at both a conscious and subconscious level, you are able to develop healthier coping mechanisms.
You Don't Have to go Through it Alone
Dealing with anxiety is tough, especially with all the societal pressures and gender roles adding to the stress. But therapy offers a unique and effective way to tackle these issues, allowing you to break free from anxiety’s grip and live a more confident, balanced, and fulfilling life. If anxiety is dragging you down, consider therapy as a powerful tool in your healing journey.
Contact me for help managing your anxiety.