Coping Techniques for Anxiety

Occasional anxiety is normal in life. However, people with anxiety disorders often have intense, excessive, and persistent worries and fears about everyday situations. Frequently, in anxiety disorders there can be repeated episodes of intense anxiety, fear, or terror, which can reach a maximum in a matter of minutes (panic attacks).

Living with anxiety can make your days look more difficult than they are. Below, we share some techniques that can help you reduce negative thoughts and levels of stress and anxiety.

If you're constantly worried, and most of the time you don't know why try the following coping technique.

1. Find something you like to do:

Doing things that give you pleasure is a great way to stop thinking about what worries you and occupies your mind. You may have noticed that thinking about things that haven't even happened gives you anxiety, so having activities in your life that you enjoy reduces worry time. Find something that allows you to release stress, that requires your full attention, and that prevents you from thinking about other things.

2. Find a physical way to release tension:

Finding a way in which you can physically discharge your emotions will be of great benefit to you. You can try an exercise in which you imagine negative thoughts physically leaving your brain and floating up into the sky. You can also write on a piece of paper the list of negative thoughts that consume you and that way you can bring your worries to light.

3. Share your struggles with people you trust:

Talk to a family member or loved one. If you feel that they cannot provide you with the help and support that you need, consider talking to a mental health professional (a psychologist, psychiatrist, or counselor). Most of the time, the mere act of speaking can go a long way in improving your emotional state. You don't have to face it all alone. If you understand that you need it, seek help.

4. Stop and focus on your breathing:

Sometimes all you need to do is stop and focus on your breathing. There are multiple exercises that you can do. Just look for breathing techniques to calm down, doing this exercise forces you to stop and focus on your breathing, which has been shown to be effective in reducing stress and anxiety levels.

If despite these tips, you notice that you are not managing your thoughts and emotions effectively, we recommend that you coordinate an appointment with a professional in the mental health area.