AND
ANOTHER THING ...
5
Strategies for Coping With Anxiety
Do
you feel anxious when the pressure's on? Do you struggle
to calm your nerves in the midst of stressful situations?
These are very normal feelings. 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'll go after
your dreams instead of giving up easily. And your self-confidence
will grow as you develop the habit of effectively responding
to situations despite the fears inside of you.
If
you begin to use these five strategies today, you'll notice
the difference immediately. These ideas are simple, but
they have the power to revolutionise your life.
These
techniques can help you cope with your anxious feelings:
1.
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. For a few days, practice
deep breathing in a relaxed, private, comfortable environment
where you're not rushed. 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.
*
If you practice this deep breathing exercise before the
moment of truth, you'll be equipped to control your breathing
when a stressful situation occurs. When the pressure is
on, and you notice your heartbeat beginning to rise, simply
pay attention to your breathing and do what you've practiced.
2.
Face your fears. If you worry constantly, you may not
be leaving your comfort zone often enough. Seek opportunities
to stretch your mental 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.
*
If you're in the habit of shying away from things that
stress you out, purposefully put yourself into situations
that you aren't sure about. This will help you build confidence.
The more steps you take outside of your comfort zone,
the better equipped you'll be when the real challenges
of life cause you to feel anxious.
3.
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 meals, and eat more often.
Keep track of what you're eating in a daily log so that
you can begin to notice patterns that sabotage your health.
*
When your body is fueled properly, the daily anxieties
you experience will be less overwhelming.
4.
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.
5.
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, a mental
health professional that is trained to help you overcome
these challenges may be your best bet.
It's
normal to feel nervous when stressful situations occur.
But without strategies to overcome those nerves, you can
feel paralysed and sabotage your chances of experiencing
the success you deserve. Instead, start using these five
strategies today to effectively cope with your feelings
of anxiety and emerge triumphant over them.
