Anxiety often gets a bad rep, but the truth is, it is an essential part of the body’s natural alarm system, signaling situations of discomfort or danger. Everyone can relate to the feeling of sweaty palms or stomach turns before making a big presentation or speaking in a room full of strangers; that right there is anxiety. When this response arises too frequently or intensely and doesn’t match actual situations of danger, it can interfere with life and cause great distress. At present, many people are experiencing a sense of discomfort as they think about returning to the office. This workshop will explore when anxiety is adaptive and in order, compared to when it becomes disordered and impacts the day-to-day functions of life like interacting with others. Participants will learn practical and accessible strategies to manage the physical, emotional and cognitive effects of anxiety and social anxiety.

Presented by Jhanelle Peters, Mental Health Clinician for the Toronto Raptors