Do any of these scenarios sound familiar? You have insomnia, which causes you to worry about being late for work in the morning. You get anxious over your income and bills. You wonder how you’re going to take care of an ageing parent when he or she can no longer take care of themselves. Most everyone deals with anxiety at different times in their lives. It would be great if we could sweep anxiety out the door whenever it hits… right?
Unfortunately anxiety is not always easy to get under control, but there are ways to help cope with it. Here are a couple of suggestions for you to try the next time anxiety hits you.
- Breathe deep. Sit down in a chair, or lie down in a bed. Breathe deeply and slowly, and try to get into a relaxed state. Practice creates patience.
- Eat healthy foods at consistent times, and remember, you are what you eat.
- Sleep. A natural stress reducer, sleep helps restore the body and help prepare the mind for the day.
- Limit beverages which can elevate anxiety, such as alcohol or caffeine.
- Laugh. Sometimes laughter IS the best medicine. When times are tough, allow yourself to laugh.
- Volunteer. Giving back is a great way to boost positivity. What goes around comes around.
- Keep a journal. Writing your thoughts down—consistently—can sometimes reveal anxiety triggers.
When you discover behaviors that help minimize anxiety in your life, it’s a good idea to incorporate those behaviors into your everyday life.