Do you find your thoughts running a mile minute, as though you are spinning your wheels? Do you feel anxious when the pressure is on? Do you struggle to calm your nerves in the midst of stressful situations? These are very normal feelings associated with anxiety. Sometimes, however, these worries can become overwhelming even in your day-to-day routines.
Extreme anxiety can inhibit your everyday life. Anxiety about a particular situation can cause you to feel worried about everything else. Anxiety can run your life if you let it, but you can take control and learn to thrive in situations that challenge your resolve.
Learning to deal effectively with anxiety is a powerful skill that will benefit you in many ways. Your relationships with others will be impacted in a positive way. You will be able to go after your dreams instead of giving up because of anxiety gets in the way. And, your self-confidence will grow as you develop the habit of effectively responding to situations rather than letting the fear and worry paralyze you.
Here are some ideas to help you. These ideas are simple, but they have the power to revolutionize your life.
These techniques can help you cope with your anxious feelings:
Practice deep breathing. One of the most effective ways to cope with anxiety is deep breathing. Deep breaths get much-needed oxygen to your brain and throughout your body, relaxing your muscles. The increased air to your body and mind helps you calm down in times when you would normally become stressed out.
- When you notice that you’re beginning to get nervous, pay attention to your breathing.
- Practice deep breathing in a relaxed, private, comfortable environment when you are not rushed and when you feel calm. Practicing in this way, helps to get mind and brain familiar with the process so that you will be able to respond calmly when you are facing anxiety.
- To practice: put your hand on your belly, and make your hand rise and fall with each breath. Be sure to take in a slow, full breath. Exhale slowly.
Eat nutritiously. An often-overlooked way to beat anxiety is to make sure that your body is properly fueled for the challenges it must face. Drink plenty of water. Eat a balanced breakfast. Eat small regular meals. When your body is fueled properly, the daily anxieties you experience will be less overwhelming.
Exercise. Your body is made to move. If you sit at a desk all day, you’ll likely face greater challenges with worry and stress than someone who’s always on the move. Exercise provides tremendous stress relief, an outlet for frustration and a boost to your overall self-confidence. All of these contribute to a peaceful feeling and less anxiety on a daily basis.
Face your fears. If you worry constantly, you may find that you begin limiting your experiences so as to not feel that worry. When you begin leaving your comfort zone, in small ways, you will build the skills you need to cope with the worry and anxiety when it comes up. Seek opportunities to stretch your emotional boundaries in ways that aren’t extremely stressful. As your mind and body become used to taking on challenges in dealing with your nerves, give yourself greater challenges to increase your ability to handle them.
Seek professional help. Sometimes, the issues you face with anxiety may require you to seek counseling to overcome them. If you’ve tried many things without success, give us a call or send us an email. We are trained to help you overcome these challenges
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