Strategies To Help Cope With Anxiety
Most of us experience anxiety occasionally. It’s a normal response to stressful events, major life changes, and other challenging situations. For some, though, anxiety can become a severe and consistent presence, affecting their emotional well-being, physical health, and ability to function.
Because of this prevalence, the significant impacts anxiety can produce, and the varied circumstances in which it can arise, developing a repertoire of coping strategies can be important. To that end, we’ve compiled a list of ten techniques you can use to help manage the symptoms of anxiety in your life.
Anxiety disorders – an overview
The American Psychological Association defines anxiety as “an emotion that is characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes.” While a certain amount of anxiety is normal, excessive nervousness, worry, panic, or similar feelings may signal the existence of an anxiety disorder. Anxiety and anxiety-related disorders may include panic disorder, social phobia, social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, among others.
Anxiety disorders can cause significant disruptions in daily life, including challenges related to work, relationships, and physical illness. These conditions can also develop alongside depression or other mental health disorders. Symptoms of anxiety disorders will depend on the specific type of anxiety disorder but may include persistent negative thoughts, feeling overwhelmed in social situations, panic attacks, and feeling anxious about day-to-day life,
The primary treatment options for anxiety are typically psychotherapy and medication. In addition to these modalities, experts have identified a variety of practices and activities that can help reduce symptoms, which we’ll discuss below.
Coping with an anxiety disorder – 10 strategies
Techniques for alleviating anxiety are easy to implement and can be invaluable if you’re living with an anxiety disorder. It may be helpful to develop strategies that are aimed at both reducing the risk of anxiety in the future and limiting its severity as it occurs. You might also consider trying complementary and alternative therapies in addition to support from a therapist.
Depending on your symptoms, some of the following tips may work better than others. Continue reading for ten strategies to manage anxiety.
1. Practice self-care
Self-care refers to the act of improving or safeguarding one’s mental, physical, and emotional health. Research suggests that self-care can reduce stress levels, improve physical health, and lead to an overall higher quality of life.
While some self-care measures are common stress management techniques—including getting enough sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, and exercising regularly—your practice can include almost anything that nourishes your body and soul. Self-care can include journaling, meditating, drinking a cup of coffee, playing the guitar, or reading. In addition to reducing stress, self-care can help take your mind off of ruminative thoughts that may contribute to anxiety.
2. Be mindful
Racing thoughts, physical tension, and worry are common markers of anxiety disorders, so strategies that address these symptoms may be particularly useful. Mindfulness—a practice based on an increased awareness of one’s thoughts, feelings, and surroundings—can do this by helping you quiet your mind, relax, and cultivate a sense of presence. The results of a growing number of studies show that mindfulness is an effective method of improving anxiety symptoms.
By helping you focus on the present, mindfulness can lead to less worry about the future and rumination about the past. It can also help you slow down, calm your body, and control your breathing.
To practice mindfulness, find a quiet place to sit or lie down. While breathing deeply, bring your attention to your feelings and the sensations you’re experiencing. Are you happy? Tired? Warm? Focus on your environment, including the way it smells, looks, and feels. If your mind starts to wander, try to bring it back to the present. Mindfulness is a versatile technique that you can use in numerous settings.
3. Take a bath
There is evidence that soaking in warm water can have several benefits for our mental and physical health, including reduced anxiety symptoms. Taking a bath can help ease tension in your body, relieve pain that may exacerbate stress, and decrease feelings of irritability or anger. You can make your bath even more relaxing by mixing in a calming essential oil like lavender or sandalwood.
4. Get creative
Through widely varying mediums, artists have long channeled their feelings into poems, drawings, and songs. Engaging in creative pursuits can help you take your mind off anxiety-inducing thoughts and provide an outlet for you to express your emotions. Recent research suggests there is a link between mental wellness and creative activities like arts and crafts.
5. Exercise
There is a large body of evidence pointing to the benefits of physical activity for anxiety. Exercise can alleviate stress, lessen physical health concerns, and improve your mood, all of which may reduce anxiety symptoms. When we exercise, our bodies produce endorphins, which can decrease pain and create feelings of happiness. Physical activity can also reduce the risk of stress-related illnesses like high blood pressure and heart disease. Consider starting a workout routine that you can easily adhere to even when you’re away from home.
6. Rest
A lack of adequate sleep can affect both your physical and mental well-being. Make it a priority to set aside at least 8 hours of sleep each night. Creating a regular nighttime routine is one way of promoting consistent sleep. This can include drinking herbal tea, meditating, stretching, reading, journaling, or other activities that help you wind down. When it’s time for bed, try to avoid using your phone, computer, or TV, as these can stimulate your brain and make falling asleep more difficult. It can also help to create a restful environment by making sure your thermostat is in a comfortable setting and your room is quiet and dark.
7. Breathe
Deep breathing exercises can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, helping to alleviate certain physical symptoms of anxiety, such as rapid heart rate. One common deep breathing exercise is box breathing, where you inhale and exhale slowly, following a rhythmic pattern. You can do a quick box breathing exercise by breathing in for a four-count, holding your breath for a four-count, then breathing out for a four-count, and holding your breath again for a four-count. Repeat this process three to four times. Deep breathing is another practice that you can implement almost anywhere to help ease anxiety.
8. Limit alcohol
Many people use alcohol to cope with anxiety (there is a strong link between alcohol use disorder and anxiety disorders), but this can exacerbate the condition in the long term. While alcohol may briefly relax you, it usually causes a rebound effect that worsens physical and mental symptoms of anxiety as it exits your system. Drinking can also lead to poor sleep and contribute to physical illnesses that may cause stress. To avoid these negative effects, consider cutting back on alcohol consumption, particularly late at night, or abstaining altogether.
9. Develop your support system
Social support is considered a vital aspect of our mental wellness. Having loved ones whom you can talk to about your feelings can help you sort through emotions and gain perspective. In addition to emotional support, friends and family can provide you with advice on managing stress and insights into the sources of your anxiety. Different perspectives on your situation can be especially helpful if anxiety is skewing your beliefs about yourself. In addition to friends and family, co-workers, mentors, and mental health professionals can be helpful parts of your support system. Lastly, consider seeking out anxiety support groups, which can connect you with people who are experiencing similar challenges.
10. Talk to a professional
Working with a mental health provider can help you work through the emotional challenges of anxiety, learn about potential sources of your feelings, and address comorbid conditions. A therapist can also help you implement the above coping strategies, providing guidance about which techniques will work best for your symptoms. Many mental health professionals specialize in challenges like stress and anxiety. They can listen to your concerns and suggest a treatment plan that is tailored specifically for you.
Managing anxiety or mental health disorders with online therapy
Research suggests that online therapy is as efficacious as in-person treatment for anxiety disorders. In a broad-based review of 37 studies, researchers concluded that online cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as face-to-face therapy when addressing symptoms of various anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a widely utilized modality that can help participants reframe negative thought processes that may be underlying symptoms of anxiety.
Online therapy can help you find techniques for managing anxiety that work for you. With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can work with a qualified mental health professional remotely, which can be helpful if you’re not comfortable discussing anxiety in person. Your therapist can also connect you to useful resources, such as at-home exercises geared toward helping you develop healthy strategies for coping with anxiety.
Takeaway
What are some good techniques for managing anxiety?
Healthy coping mechanisms for anxious feelings may include the following:
- Regular exercise
- Relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation
- Grounding exercises
- Deep breathing
- Positive affirmations
- Meditation
- Aromatherapy
- Mindfulness, or focusing on the present moment
- Stretching to release muscle tension
A licensed mental health professional can provide extra support and help you form a personalized anxiety management plan. While you may never stop worrying completely, therapy can help you bring anxiety to a manageable level.
How can a person's management skills help them deal with stress?
Emotional management skills generally refer to everyday strategies people use in response to stress. For example, someone who is stressed at work may take a minute to step away and mindfully sip a cup of tea before they return to their project with a clearer mind. When you have healthy coping skills, you tend to be more resilient and better able to manage life’s challenges. Coping skills can also help you manage symptoms of mental health disorders.
Are emotional management skills always helpful and positive?
These skills aren’t always helpful and positive. Some methods of handling your emotions can be harmful or negative. Procrastination, ignoring your feelings, misusing substances, and withdrawing socially are just a few examples of maladaptive coping mechanisms that are likely to do more harm than good.
What is the value of being conscious about one's coping strategies?
When you’re conscious about these techniques, you can choose strategies that are both healthy and effective. Rather than spending time on unhelpful strategies, you can effectively identify triggers, manage your anxiety and other concerns, and stay healthy.
How do you develop healthier emotional management mechanisms?
It can be helpful to start by identifying your unhealthy techniques you use to manage emotions and the anxiety triggers that typically lead you to use them. Next, you can determine healthier coping mechanisms to replace them with.
As with all lifestyle changes, changing the way you cope with stress can be a process, and it will likely take time as you gradually increase the frequency with which you use healthy mechanisms. You may benefit from working with a licensed therapist who can guide you and offer additional insight and resources.
How does the concept of coping behaviors apply to self-care?
Self-care typically involves healthy activities that promote well-being. Meanwhile, coping behaviors usually refer to behaviors that we engage in when stressed or upset to manage difficult emotions. While self-care can be thought of as a preventative measure, coping behaviors tend to be more reactive.
When facing life challenges, what is a good management strategy?
If you’re going through a challenging time, it can be excellent to set aside time each day for self-care activities. You might also schedule a session with a licensed therapist who can help you determine the best way to navigate your current difficulties and ensure you’re using positive self-talk.
What supportive mechanisms do you use to maintain or improve your mental health?
Coping mechanisms that may improve mental health include the following:
- Exercising
- Taking deep breaths
- Following a guided meditation
- Doing yoga
- Using aromatherapy
- Journaling
- Practicing mindfulness
- Attending a support group meeting
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