What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe.
Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point in their life. For example, you may feel worried and anxious about sitting an exam, or having a medical test or job interview.
During times like these, feeling anxious can be perfectly normal, but some people find it hard to control their worries. Their feelings of anxiety are more constant and can often affect their daily lives.
Anxiety can show in a variety of ways. This can be as changes in your body, in being constantly worried or changes in your behaviour, such as becoming overly careful or avoiding things that trigger anxiety.
You may:
- feel tired, on edge, restless or irritable
- feel a sense of dread
- be unable to concentrate or make decisions
- have trouble sleeping
- feel sick, dizzy, sweaty or short of breath
- be shaky or trembly
- get headaches or tummy aches
- avoid situations or put off doing things you are worried about
- have difficulty falling or staying asleep
- experience a noticeably strong, fast or irregular heartbeat
- have pins and needles
- have a dry mouth
- sweat excessively
- repeatedly check things or seek assurance from others
Watch the video below for some top tips to help you deal with anxiety.
If anxiety is affecting your daily life or causing you distress, call NHS 111, talk to your GP or refer yourself to our local talking therapies (IAPT) service.
Urgent help
If you cannot wait to see a doctor and feel unable to cope or keep yourself safe, it’s important to get support – services are still open during the coronavirus outbreak.
Helpful Organisations
If you are dealing with anxiety, and you live in Basildon and Essex in general, you can get help from organisations that are there to support you.

Motivated Minds
Motivated Minds is a non-profit ‘Community Interest Company’ (CIC) that offers sustainable mental health and wellbeing solutions based in Basildon, Essex.
The organisation was founded by Carla Andrews MBE BACh in 2015 and has been expanding and being enhanced ever since.
Year-on-year, they have seen growth while delivering services to over 2000 people a month in and around Essex through the HAPPY Hub.

The Happy Hub is their one-stop-wellness shop for both children and adults based in the Eastgate Shopping Centre offering instant mental health support on the high street.
LGBT support at the Happy Hub
If you need to find local support in Basildon, the Happy Hub located in the Eastgate Shopping Mall offers support every 2nd Saturday of each month between 1:30pm and 3pm through Pride Pals.
Contact: 01268 520 785
Email: admin@motivated-minds.co.uk
Website: https://motivated-minds.co.uk/
Learn more about Motivated Minds via this link to our blog post about the organisation.