Maths Anxiety Pt 2: Dealing with Maths anxiety
Last week we looked at maths anxiety, what is was, a few of its most common causes and some of the symptoms. This week’s post will conclude the series and wholly focus on some ways to tackle maths anxiety.
As it is a subcategory of general anxiety and shares a lot of the same symptoms, the ways to address it are also similar, but sometimes tailored to the maths element of it. Below are some easy ways to address it if you think you suffer from maths anxiety:
The first step is to always acknowledge and recognise the emotion. It may not be something you have heard of before, but putting a name to the feeling and emotion allows you to begin to fully process it and work on it.
Positive reinforcement is vital, and not only from yourself but from others too. Letting your teacher or someone you trust know how you are feeling regarding maths can really help, as they can provide the support and positive reinforcement you need and may not be getting. It is equally as important to try and look for that within yourself - positive thoughts can go a long way in counteracting the negative ones. They may feel forced at first, and you may not believe it, but as I always say, ‘fake it till you make it!’. The more you say these things to yourself, the more you will start to believe them, and it can have a huge impact in combating those panicky feelings you get when trying to solve a maths problem.
Try to focus on understanding, not memorising - this helps with building general mathematical foundations and is a good study tip overall. However, in this context, a strong maths foundation means you are simply more likely to get maths questions right, and that confidence boost is what you need! It is to show that maths anxiety is not a measure of your intelligence and with the right help and work, you are capable!
Talk to someone. Anxiety is something that should not be dealt with alone, and having someone in your corner can really help. Talk to someone you trust, whether a parent, a friend, a teacher or a mental health professional, as a burden shared is a burden halved. Even if nothing else, simply the fact that someone else knows means you have someone to talk to if you're having a particularly bad day.
The most important thing to remember is that dealing with any mental health issues is a gradual process and not a linear one. There will be good days and bad days, but talking to someone means that you have someone to turn to on the especially bad ones. If you can, please speak to a mental health professional, as they will be properly equipped and trained to help you in the most effective way. Remember, your feelings are valid and reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness!
