5 Practical Ways to Manage Anxiety
Even though anxiety is the most common mental health condition across the globe, people are always trying to fight back against it.
This is largely because anxiety can impact people so differently. So, while the silver lining is that treatment is available and is often the best way to heal, there are things you can do on your own to manage anxiety on a day-to-day basis.
Let’s take a look at some of the practical ways to manage anxiety. The more strategies you implement into your daily routine, the easier it will be for you to feel more in control of your anxious thoughts, especially if you’re also taking the right steps to get professional help.
1. Get Physical
Anxiety is a mental health issue, but the mind-body connection is greater than many people think. Staying physically active can be a great way to manage anxiety while taking care of your physical well-being.
Exercise helps to reduce tension and stress. It will make you feel more relaxed while providing a healthy distraction from unhelpful, anxious thoughts. As a bonus, it boosts your mood and can leave you feeling happier and more relaxed, even hours later.
You don’t have to get a gym membership or run a marathon to experience the mental health benefits of exercise. Find something you enjoy doing, and you’ll be more likely to stick with it.
2. Mindfulness and Meditation
Incorporate relaxation techniques into your day. You can schedule them as part of your routine, or use them “as needed” when you’re feeling overwhelmed by anxious ideas.
Things like deep breathing can make a big difference in how you feel. Mindfulness practices, including grounding yourself and staying focused on the present, will also make your anxiety seem less powerful while giving you more control. It will allow you to challenge unhelpful thoughts, giving you a boost of confidence along the way.
3. Stay Social
You might not always feel like spending time with family and friends when you’re anxious, but isolating yourself and withdrawing from the people and things you love will only make things worse.
Spend time with people who lift you up and support you. Don’t be afraid to talk about your feelings to someone you trust. Sometimes, simply opening up and expressing how you feel can be a release and make it easier to cope.
4. Write in a Journal
Maybe you had a journal as a teenager, but using one to manage anxiety is a bit different. Instead of writing about your day, use a journal to write about your thoughts. When you’re feeling anxious, start writing. Getting those thoughts and feelings on paper will keep them from building up inside of you.
Not only does journaling provide a healthy outlet for you to talk about your feelings, but it also gives you a way to look back at how far you’ve come on your healing journey. On days when you’re feeling overwhelmed or frustrated, you can look at the things that have helped you before and use them again, or simply take a look at how well you’re doing now compared to where you were when you started.
5. Reach Out for Help
Again, working with a mental health professional is often the best way to manage anxiety. Therapy will help you get to the root of what’s causing your anxiety, so you can fight back from the ground up.
Anxiety therapy can also help with symptom management, making it easier to deal with anxious thoughts each day.
If you’re struggling with anxiety, consider incorporating these tips into your routine, and don’t hesitate to reach out for help when you’re ready. Contact me soon to set up a consultation.
