Anxiety is an experience that many people have to deal with at one time or another. Every day we are faced with situations that can make us feel anxious, from a simple phone call to a difficult conversation. It doesn't matter how old we are; we've all had to deal with situations that heighten our anxiety at some point in our lives. Social anxiety, phobias, and panic attacks can be difficult to manage and even more difficult to overcome.
But what do we mean when we talk about anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of worry and fear. It can be brief and focused on specific situations, like giving a speech or job interview, or it can be ongoing and seemingly unrelated to any real or tangible danger.
The naturally occurring human stress response, or fight or flight response, is triggered when we feel threatened. Its aim is to enable our survival by releasing hormones that boost energy and suppress non-emergency bodily functions such as digestion and reproduction. While this response can be highly effective in the event of an actual threat, such as a bear in the woods, it can also get activated when there is no real danger present, such as public speaking or missing out on a promotion.
In this day and age, we need to learn how to deal with our anxiety in a positive and EMPOWERING way that will help us find relief from the anxiety-inducing situation. The reasoning behind our feelings of anxiety is completely different for each and every person in the world, and therefore finding a way to handle it in a manner that is most ideal for us individually is essential.
Here are 3 top tips to effectively deal with anxiety:
1. Acknowledge that you deserve happiness
Mental and physical health are interconnected and supporting one will help support the other. Take time out for yourself to do something that you enjoy. It could be as simple as taking a bath with candles and aromatherapy oils, it could be watching your favourite movie or even just listening to your favourite music. Anything that will bring you joy and remind you of happier times will help reduce the stress and give you a moment of time-out. You are a work of art. Treat yourself as such. Be kind to yourself. We tend to spend a lot of money on make-up, hair and outfits but we tend to forget that our skin is the first thing people see. We all need a little treatment on our skin at least once a week, whether it is a facial, gentle massage or a facial scrub! Our skin is our body's largest organ and what we put onto it is important.
2. Accepting and Unveiling thoughts through journaling.
Journaling can be a great way to deal with anxiety. We’re not talking about writing down your grocery list or jotting down what you need to do at work tomorrow. It’s really about exploring your own innermost thoughts and emotions. When you journal, you are taking the time to explore your thoughts in a way you don’t usually allow yourself to do. This can help in the process of knowing who you really are, what your likes and dislikes are. Remember that no part of you is your own enemy. The experience of writing down your thoughts also gives you some time away from your emotions. It’s like you pack your emotions into a box and then close the lid for a moment. You can open it up again later and look at it more rationally. This practice is also calming because it creates a feeling of control. When we are anxious, it is easy to feel out of control. Our minds are racing, our hearts are pounding and we don’t know what to do or who to turn to for help. Journaling can help with this journey.
3. Mindfulness in full release
In a world where perfection reigns supreme and it seems that everyone around you has it all together, it’s easy to get lost in paranoia and doubt, which can create anxiety. That is why it’s important to stop and slow down every once in a while to make sure you are not letting your mind get the best of you. When we get lost in our thoughts, we can often feel like we’re spiraling out of control. The incessant stream of judgment and negativity can make us feel like we’re losing our minds — and we may not even realize it. Mindfulness is a powerful tool for anyone to be more present and live in the moment. We all cope with negative and destructive thoughts, but mindfulness can help disrupt this pattern. Through practicing mindfulness, we can change our relationship with our mind and experience more joy and happiness.
Is your anxiety making it hard for you to perform daily tasks? You might be suffering from an anxiety disorder. If you are dealing with severe anxiety and it is impacting your quality of life, you should think about seeking professional help to understand the root cause of your anxiety and start the healing process.
