Did you know that around 1 in 5 people have anxiety?
If you also suffer from this condition, you know how debilitating it can be in your everyday life.
Do you want to learn how you can stop your anxiety from getting worse? Keep reading for 10 tips on overcoming anxiety.
1. Identify Your Triggers and Start to Question Them
For some people, anxiety comes and goes while other people suffer from constant worrying. Before you can start to feel better, you have to identify what’s harming your mental health. Once you learn your triggers, you can dive deeper and get to the root of your anxiety.
The next step is to rationalize your thoughts and accept that they’re there. If you’re someone who always imagines the worst case scenarios coming to life, push back by forcing yourself to create a more realistic vision and brainstorm different ways you can handle bad situations with grace. With enough practice, you could even imagine the best case scenarios happening.
2. See a Therapist or Anxiety Coach
Beating anxiety alone can feel impossible, which is why getting professional help from a therapist or coach can make a world of difference. If you can’t create your own voice of reason to battle the anxious voice in your head, a professional will be able to talk through your worries until they feel less scary. Aside from giving you emotional support and validation, they can also teach you other ways you can cope when you’re alone.
Everyone has their own unique experiences with their anxiety, so a professional will be able to develop a treatment plan that’s catered to your needs. For example, overcoming anxiety after a car accident can be facilitated by speaking with a therapist who specializes in trauma.
3. Download Apps for Anxiety
If you have social anxiety, you won’t want to speak to a stranger about your concerns. This is why downloading apps that are designed to manage anxiety can keep you balanced.
Some of the best anxiety apps include Headspace, Calm, and Rootd. These types of apps can walk you through different breathing exercises and other activities that can put you in a better mood.
4. Get Your Body Moving
Anxiety can cause some people to get heart palpitations or make them feel judged. Going to the gym to exercise can feel like a nightmare if you have either of those symptoms. Since exercising is great for boosting your mood, it’s crucial to find physical activities that don’t trigger you.
One of the best ways for people with anxiety to start working out is to experiment with free fitness videos on YouTube and other platforms. Since there are thousands of fun exercises that are free and can be done from the comfort of your home, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t give it an honest try.
5. Practice Meditation
It may not sound like much, but meditation is the perfect medicine for overthinkers and worriers. Contrary to popular belief, meditation isn’t about clearing your mind. Rather, it’s all about focusing on your breath and letting your thoughts come and go without any judgment.
If you want to make the most out of your time, you should do yoga, which is a combination of cardio, strength training, and mediation. You’ll be amazed by how much better you feel even after a quick 10-minute session.
6. Try CBD
Although more research is needed to understand CBD, what we do know now is super reassuring for people who suffer from mental health disorders, chronic pain, and other debilitating issues. CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is a medicinal compound that can be extracted from hemp or cannabis plants. Since it goes through a thorough production process, there’s no THC present, which is the compound that makes you feel high.
If you take a look at these studies, you can start to understand why so many people are interested in CBD as a natural alternative to medication.
7. Eat a Healthy Diet
We’ve all heard how important a healthy diet is for our physical health, but not as many people know about the impact foods can have on our mental health. There’s a very interesting reason why people with anxiety should be more mindful of what they eat.
Many people overeat when they feel anxious. Although it can initially help soothe stress, it has long-lasting damaging effects. Some of them include obesity, eating disorders, and more. You can learn how to avoid anxiety eating with a nutrition coach.
As it turns out, our gut is lined with millions of neurons that connect with our brain. Scientists have actually called our gut the second brain. Adopting a plant-based diet that’s rich in vitamins, minerals, and other vital nutrients is one of the best ways to nurture your mental and physical health.
8. Start Journaling
People with anxiety can have good days and bad days. Journaling can help you learn more about your anxiety and discover new ways to create better days. If you start to notice a pattern in your entries, you can make use of this information.
What do your good days and bad days have in common? What can you do to avoid bad days and how can you make good days even happier?
9. Lean on Friends and Family
Does your anxiety ever make you feel like you’re a burden to your friends and family? If that’s the case, then you can fight back by initiating a conversation with one of your most trusted loved ones. The conversation doesn’t even have to be focused on your feelings if you’re not comfortable sharing yet.
No matter how busy your loved ones are, they’ll always be happy to get a text or call from you. Once you get over the initial fear of bothering them, you’ll start to train your brain to accept that you are loved and wanted.
10. Find a Distraction
The best tips for defeating anxiety involve treating your condition. Since this process can take a long time, you also need to find coping mechanisms that can keep you strong. If you ever feel like you can’t handle your anxiety, it’s perfectly fine to hit the pause button and find something to distract you until you feel calmer.
This could mean reading a book, watching funny animal videos online, cooking, or doing any other activity that quiets your anxious thoughts. Having distractions on hand can also help you feel more prepared to handle panic attacks.
Overcoming Anxiety Doesn’t Have to Be Scary
If you follow these 10 tips, overcoming anxiety can feel a lot more manageable. As long as you keep trying your best, you’re bound to see some improvements.
Do you want to learn more ways you can thrive? Explore our site for more helpful tips.
