If anxiety is something you struggle with, then you naturally don’t need to be told how challenging it can be. The sweaty palms, the telltale pounding of your heart, and that feeling that you can’t breathe – all of those things and more are likely familiar responses to many of the stressful situations life can throw at you. But you don’t have to simply learn to live with them.
It’s possible to keep your anxiety in check so that it doesn’t hinder your ability to live a happy, healthy, full life. It’s also easier to do than you might think. Here are a few excellent suggestions to get started with.
1. Finetune your fitness and nutrition routine.
A healthy mind starts with a healthy body, and a healthy body simply isn’t operating at its best without proper nutrition. So, if you’re not already exercising regularly and paying attention to what you eat, it’s time to start. Exercise regularly – at least 20-30 minutes a day five days a week – and make sure you’re getting enough sleep.
Eat balanced, healthy meals consisting of lean protein, whole grains, and plenty of fresh produce, as well. You may also want to speak with your doctor about adding healthy, natural supplements to your diet. Options that can help with anxiety include valerian root, omega-3 fatty acids, kava kava, and green tea.
2. Get in touch with your triggers and learn to manage them.
Chances are you have identifiable triggers that tend to start an anxiety attack in motion or otherwise make your chronic anxiety worse. Figuring out what they are and lowering your exposure to them can be a game-changer when it comes to having fewer, less severe attacks. Some may even be fairly obvious, including habits like smoking, drinking, or caffeine consumption.
In other cases, not only are the triggers harder to put a finger on, but they may not be as easy to eliminate from your life. Examples include (but aren’t necessarily limited to) long-term financial troubles, difficult family dynamics, or a stressful situation at work. In cases like those, adopting other coping techniques or working with a therapist are great ideas.
3. Embrace mindfulness as a daily part of your life.
Becoming more mindful isn’t something that happens overnight. However, it’s to your benefit to cultivate a mindfulness habit when you struggle with anxiety. Mindful people are better at managing stress, as well as coping with stressful situations when they do arise. They also tend to be happier, healthier, and more self-aware, in general – all good things.
There are lots of ways to become more mindful, but one of the simplest and most approachable is meditation. Over time, meditation can help you train your brain to dismiss anxious thoughts and feelings before they bloom into full-blown panic attacks. Many people also find yoga helpful. If you like to write, starting and maintaining a daily journal is an effective way to become more mindful, as well.
4. Try an app or web platform designed to help reduce anxiety.
If you’re like most people, you have your smartphone close at hand pretty much all the time It’s there for you whenever you need to communicate, look something up, order things you need, or catch up with the rest of your social circle. The right apps and online platforms can make it an effective tool for unpacking and managing your anxiety over the long haul, as well.
There are lots of options out there to choose from these days, including multiple apps designed to take the guesswork out of learning about and managing chronic anxiety. There are also options that make cultivating healthy habits like journaling or meditation easier.
There are full-scale programs out there that help you manage many aspects of life with anxiety, as well. For instance, UnwindingAnxiety.com uses a multi-faceted approach to managing and overcoming anxiety. You can explore video lessons, start journaling, speak with certified experts, connect with a larger community for support, and more.
Yes, anxiety can make life difficult, but it doesn’t have to control you. With the right management techniques, you too can feel better, reduce stress, cultivate healthier relationships with your loved ones, and do more of the things you love to do. Get started today!