Anxiety is among the most widely prevalent mental health issues in the US. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, and social status. The pandemic has made the situation stressful as everyone is worried about health, money, and work-life balance. It is vital to recognize the early signs of anxiety and nip them in the bud before they affect your mental well-being. You also need a plan to treat the issue early and steer clear of it for the long haul. Fortunately, some measures can help you break free and deal with anxiety for good. Here are the ones you can try.
Address your triggers
The best way to handle anxiety issues is to avoid them in the first place. You can do it by identifying your triggers and addressing them as soon as they show up. For example, money problems can make you stressed, but you can skip the trigger by implementing smart financial management. Work stress is a common trigger for many, but you can address it by maintaining an optimal work-life balance with a realistic schedule. Other common triggers include phobias, health scares, travel woes, and family disputes. Find things that trouble you, and create a plan to deal with them. You may not have a way to avoid them altogether, but being prepared makes them easier to handle.
Start every day with a positive intention
Picking your daily triggers is only the first step of dealing with anxiety. Reaffirming positive intentions every day takes you a step ahead of stressful behavior. The best part is that it is simple to identify a positive intention daily. Write down a daily goal and maintain a gratitude journal. Both measures help you see things worth appreciating, so they end up shifting your thoughts towards the positive aspects of life. The more good you manifest, the less anxious you will feel.
Know what works for you
While everyone has specific triggers and intentions, solutions may also vary from person to person. Try to understand what works for you. It may take some hit and trial to devise a perfect self-care plan. You may get Anxiety Counseling for better guidance because an expert can help you identify the causes and solutions for your problems. Typically, you will require a mix of exercise, good sleep, meditation, and mindfulness therapies to eliminate the problem from the root. You may also need medication if therapy alone does not help. Know what works for you, and adopt these measures to get lasting relief.
Limit alcohol and caffeine
The worst you can do to handle your anxiety is to use alcohol and caffeine as quick fixes. Both end up doing more harm than good. Alcohol acts as a depressant and slows down your vital functions. Consuming it may fog your brain and dull the anxiety initially. But it can harm your body and mind eventually. Caffeine works as a central nervous system stimulant. Having too much can aggravate stress by stimulating your fight-or-flight response. Avoid caffeinated sources like coffee, soft drinks, energy drinks, and tea, and you will feel calmer.
Focus on the present
People often end up worrying a lot if they think about the future. Not surprisingly, the pandemic has led to a sudden surge in anxiety disorders as everyone is worried about the uncertainties that lie ahead. Likewise, stressing about the past can disrupt your present. It is important to focus on the present and take every day as it comes. You will put things into perspective and feel more relaxed. Healing practices such as mindfulness meditation, tai chi, and yoga can help you live in the present. They train your brain to clear negative thoughts when they arise.
Build confidence
Building confidence and conviction can help you manage the fear of the unknown. Consider it a healing practice as you become more confident by passing through anxious moments and overcoming them. Becoming confident is all about trusting your strengths and abilities to get through the challenges that life throws at you. These are passing moments, and facing them strongly can make you less anxious in the long run. You have to be realistic because apprehensions will stand in your way. But winners do not let them conquer their confidence and self-belief.
Anxiety is a silent killer, and you must find ways to deal with it before it harms your body and mind. Moreover, you should aim to drive it away for good. Follow these measures, and you can live a happy and stress-free life.
