Anxiety can get into your life by surprise. It will influence the way you think, feel, and behave, and without intervention, it can take control. Regardless of whether it is a minor concern or panic attack, on the one hand, it is really important to know how to cope with the anxiety in order to protect your mental and emotional health. On the other hand, in this article, you will find practical and efficient tips on how to cope with anxiety without referring to complex terms or non-realistic guidelines.
What Is Anxiety? How to Manage Anxiety?
Now that we are getting ready to explore the solutions on How to Manage Anxiety, it is perhaps important to get one thing straight first: anxiety is not simply an act of being stressed. It is an enduring concern or apprehension that can affect everyday operations. Imagine that it is like when the alarm system in your brain is somewhat hypersensitive, and it starts to jingle even when nothing dangerous is going on.
General symptoms are:
- Fearfulness or constant anxiety
- Racing mind
- Restlessness
- Problems with sleep
- Trouble putting focus
- Fast heartbeat or dyspnea
The moment one understands the feeling of anxiety and how to manage anxiety is the start of controlling it.
1. Try deep breathing.
Does this sound so easy? Think again. One of the quick strategies for calming your nervous system is by taking deep breaths. When you feel anxious, you get into fight or flight. Slow breathing reverses the switch to go back into rest and digest.
2. Get Moving
You shouldn’t exercise just to improve your body; exercise is food to your brain as well. Exercise elevates endorphins, which are mood elevators in your body. It does not matter whether it is a 20-minute walk, yoga, or dancing in your living room; the movements of your body will help to burn excess adrenaline and calm the anxious mind.
Experts recommend:
- Cardio: Jogging, walking, cycling
- Mental-physical exercise: Yoga, tai chi
- Weight training: Weight training, resistance band
Goal: At least 30 minutes a day, 5 days/week. However, do not sweat it out; any kind of movement is better than none at all.
3. Dispute Thinking
Fear thrives on the worst-case scenarios. The trick? Prevent the thoughts before they get out of hand. Ask yourself:
Does this thought have fact or fear to base it on? What is the worst that might happen, and how probable is this? Have I dealt with something like it in the past? – This is cognitive reframing, which makes you view things from a more objective perspective. You are even able to write about what goes on in your mind in journal form in order to objectively analyze.
4. Moderate Caffeine and Alcohol
When you are stressed out, a cup of coffee or a glass of wine may appear to be innocent. But they are both a backfire. Caffeine is able to speed up the heart rate and provoke panic symptoms.
Alcohol may make you relax in the short run, but it aggravates anxiety in the long run.
You can substitute your brew with blended tea, such as herbs like chamomile or peppermint. And in case you are feeling the urge in the evening, go towards non-alcoholic beverages such as sparkling water or adaptogenic beverages.
5. A Routine to Follow
Anxiety rides on chaos. A predictive pattern leaves your mind with a feeling of control and uniformity. Try to:
- Rise up or sleep at a similar time
- Pre-plan to work out and meals
- Block some time to rest and have hobbies
Manageable routines can relieve decision fatigue, making any day feel more manageable, even those little routines, such as making your bed or laying out your clothes the night before.
6. Confide in a Person
There is no need to deal with anxiety yourself. Having a conversation with somebody close, e.g., a friend, therapist, or support group, relieves you of a tremendous burden. In some cases, all you need to do to ease your scary thoughts is to simply share your fears.
When you experience the situation of being stuck, you can resort to professional therapy such as:
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): Is aimed at finding and transforming negative thought patterns.
- ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy): Education in the art of mindfulness and acceptance skills.
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): This method is commonly utilized to address anxiety relating to trauma.
It is not a shame to seek help. You only need to take mental health as seriously as you do physical health.
Final Thoughts on How to Manage Anxiety
The reason why learning how to deal with anxiety does not mean not having anxiety is that anxiety is natural, and it is alright to have it. By implementing repetitive routines such as deep breathing, exercise, cognitively challenging thoughts, and professional intervention, one can get back in control and feel safer on the ground.
________________________________________
FAQs
1. Does anxiety get resolved by itself?
Anxiety can be mild and may dissipate upon changing lifestyle, but there are chronic cases that may persist and need constant attention and treatment.
2. What is the distinction between a panic and an anxiety disorder?
Although all people experience anxiety in some ways, an anxiety disorder presents severe and long-term effects that disrupt everyday living.
3. Is there any need to take medications to suppress anxiety?
Not always. A lot of individuals control anxiety using therapy and lifestyle habits that include coping strategies. Pills can be used in extreme cases.
4. What is the duration of its improvement?
Many individuals experience positive changes within a few weeks with regular work on it. But far too often, no two tales are the same.
5. Do you know any natural remedies for anxiety?
Yes, these are people who feel better with magnesium, L-theanine, or ashwagandha. Never take any supplement without consulting the doctor.
Want to know How to Manage ANXIETY? Connect with our expert practitioners by booking a session.