Managing Anxiety

It can be understandably difficult to manage your anxiety when you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed, but it doesn’t have to be impossible. There are a variety of ways in which you can gain back some control and regulate these feelings. Today we’re offering some helpful advice that will make it easier for you to combat anxiety.

Tips For Managing Anxiety

Exercise

Research shows that aerobic exercise helps people manage anxiety, and this can be done through a variety of activities. Muscle tension can contribute to our anxiety, and exercise naturally eases that tension. You can take a bike ride or participate in dance classes, but even just getting outside and taking a walk can be beneficial. Additionally, exercise increases your heart rate and causes the brain to release natural anti-anxiety neurochemicals.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Quality sleep is important to ensure your body and brain are functioning properly. When you are well rested you will have an increased ability to focus. Without an adequate amount of sleep, the brain has a harder time thinking clearly and processing emotions, which contributes to our existing stresses.

Cut Back on Alcohol

Alcohol is a depressant, so it isn’t something that you want to consume more of if you are experiencing overwhelming worry. While it is true that alcohol initially relieves stress temporarily, its overall effect can be incredibly detrimental. Alcohol tends to increase anxiety as time goes by because it is drastically altering the levels of serotonin in your brain. You may even feel as if your anxiety is worse than it was before you started to drink. While this doesn’t mean that you can’t drink any alcohol, it is important to recognize that it is a substance that tends to contribute to increasing rather than decreasing anxiety.

Breathe Deeply

If you start to feel anxious, it’s good to take a moment and breathe deeply. Find a place to sit down if you are able and concentrate on breathing through your nose. Pay close attention to the feeling of the air entering and leaving your lungs. With one hand on your belly and the other on your chest, take in a deep breath for a count of four. Hold it for a count of three. Exhale this breath for a count of four. Notice your hand moving in as you inhale and the one on your chest moving out as you exhale. Concentrate on your breathing alone; thoughts will naturally come to mind, but you should try and refocus on what you are physically doing.