Anxiety disorders can be crippling. Whether you’re suffering from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or social anxiety disorder (SAD), even the simplest of tasks can feel overwhelming.
Anxiety affects everybody differently, often, it can be difficult to know whether you have an anxiety disorder or you are just going through a stressful time in your life. You can take this anxiety quiz to determine whether or not you might need to see a medical professional to get a diagnosis for your anxious thoughts.
Although anxiety can be a life-long battle for many, there are many strategies you can use to cope with your anxiety. Lots of promising medications and psychotherapies are being used in the treatment of anxiety disorders. These treatments have been shown to be extremely effective for patients across all age groups.
The issue is that not everybody has access to medical treatment. Drugs and psychotherapies are limited resources that can only be accessed through referral to specialist doctors. In these cases, patients need to look elsewhere to cope with their anxiety.
One of the best ways to overcome your anxious thoughts is through regular self-care practice.
Self-care looks different for everybody but there are lots of things that work for the majority of anxiety sufferers. Having a self-care practice means showing love and respect for yourself, and honouring your needs.
Here are some self-care tips that will help you to quieten your anxious thoughts.
Journaling
Journaling is one of the most effective ways of clearing your mind. It’s a great way to identify which emotions you are experiencing and what is causing them.
Grabbing your pen and your journal gives you the opportunity to write down all of your negative thoughts and reflect on your emotions.
You don’t have to journal every day if you don’t want to. Use your journal as a coping mechanism when you’re feeling more anxious than usual.
Meditation
When you meditate, you activate your parasympathetic nervous system. This is the branch of your nervous system that calms you down. It slows down your heart rate and breathing rate and helps you to feel calmer.
During meditation, you focus on your breathing rate and how each part of your body feels. You allow thoughts to flow in and out of your mind without taking action on them. This is a great way to learn how to live in the present moment.
Exercise
Regular exercise is one of the most effective ways to reduce your chronic anxiety.
When you exercise, certain hormones, such as serotonin and dopamine, get released into your brain. These hormones are responsible for making you feel happier, more content, and more motivated.
Exercise can also provide a great distraction from your negative or anxious thoughts. Whether you’re walking, running, dancing, or playing sports, taking part in regular exercise will definitely help you to cope with your anxiety.
