Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in the United States, affecting more than 40 million people. Either you or someone you know is struggling with managing anxiety.
In our modern day society, it’s a normal part of life to deal with anxiety. However, when it becomes crippling and interferes with everyday activities, it may be an anxiety disorder.
It is characterized by extreme fear and worries, phobias, panic attacks, separation anxiety, and social anxiety just to name a few. It is related to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), depression, and PTSD.
But how does someone deal with managing anxiety? When life becomes overwhelming, how do you cope and continue on living your life without relying on medications?
Check out our guide below for managing anxiety, it may just help you live your life better.
Avoid Synthetic Coping Tools
Many people have different coping mechanisms that they turn to when feeling overwhelmed with anxiety. Unfortunately, most of these mechanisms are very unhealthy practices and can lead to you feeling weaker, promoting more anxiety.
Stay away from practices such as:
- Gambling
- Alcohol
- Drugs
- Reckless behavior
- Overuse of medications
These are more like “vices” that provide a temporary relief, but if they are also overused, can lead to more anxiety problems. They affect your body’s natural ability to cope, leading to a dependency and eventually, addiction.
Get Moving
We all know that exercise is great for the body, but did you know about its plethora of benefits for the mind? Studies found that people who exercise were 25% less likely to develop depression or an anxiety disorder.
Exercising is a form of relief for mental stress. It basically converts that pent-up energy into a healthy movement, which in turn, has many more benefits such as more confidence and a boosted immune system.
Find forms of exercise that you enjoy and are comfortable doing. Exercising outdoors has incredible benefits on your well-being, as being in nature has its own remedies for coping with depression.
Meditation, Breathing, and Relaxation
The strongest coping tool you have is your mind, and just like any muscle, strengthening your mind is the best way to relieving yourself from an anxiety attack. Try listening to some guided meditations, they will help quiet the mind and help you feel calm, relaxed, and grounded.
Breathing is one of the most underrated, and productive ways of curing anxiety. It activates the body’s natural relaxation response, which is a physical state in the body that changes emotional stress responses. When you feel overwhelmed, take deep breaths and count to 10, or even 20.
Learn More About Managing Anxiety
Want to learn more about coping skills for managing anxiety? You probably need to talk to a professional. Cognitive Behavior Treatment, interpersonal treatment, and psychodynamic treatments provide incredible results for relieving anxiety.
If you want to gain more control over your anxiety, please feel free to contact us at any time. We are here to help you gain control over your disorder and help you live your life!
