Anxiety as a condition is often misunderstood and underestimated in terms of the devastating impact it can have on us. Anxiety affects everyone differently, and so it makes sense that each individual will find certain coping strategies and treatments to be more effective than others. It may take some time and trial and error in order to find out which strategies help you, but here are some examples which you might want to try. Remember, if you are struggling to manage your anxiety and it is affecting your day to day quality of life, seek help from a mental health professional.
Practice breathing exercises
A possible symptom of anxiety is fast and shallow breathing which can lead to a feeling of faintness and confusion. If you feel your anxiety building, try to slow your breathing with breathing exercises such as counting to three for each breath in and out.
Try muscle relaxation exercises
If you can find a quiet place where you can be alone, muscle relaxation exercises can help to relieve tension in the body. With your eyes closed gradually tense the muscles in your body, hold for a few seconds and then let the tension go.
Focus on the present moment
Anxiety can make us focus on the worst elements of our lives, past experiences, or even to obsess about things that haven’t happened. Get relaxed, perhaps brew a nice cup of tea, and meditate. Meditation can help us to focus on the here and now, and you should try to keep in touch with friends and family who can support you in difficult times.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Our physical health is connected to our mental and emotional health in more ways than you might expect. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle need not be a full-time endeavor – simply try to incorporate some physical activity and exercise and eat a balanced and nutritious diet with the occasional treat. It’s also important to try and get as much sleep as possible as a lack of sleep can increase our stress levels and worsen anxiety symptoms.
Find professional support
If your anxiety is too severe for you to manage, you may want to seek professional help from a therapist, counselor or one of the anxiety treatment centers Vegas. They can work with you to identify your triggers and patterns of behavior and to find coping strategies or even medication which may help.
Step outside your comfort zone
Feeling anxious can mean that we avoid certain situations or challenges. While this may provide short-term relief, in the long run you are not learning how to cope with your issues and worries. Try doing something which pushes you a little way outside of your comfort zone. It doesn’t have to be extreme, but you can gradually push yourself to achieve more and more over time. Eventually you can show yourself that what used to intimidate or worry you has nowhere near as much power over you.
Recognize and challenge negative thinking
We can often let negative thoughts and assumptions cloud our judgment, but it is possible to interrupt those thoughts and question them. When you find yourself dwelling on negativity or focusing on the worst possible outcome to a situation, try to adjust your thinking and look for new positive angles.
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