Here are a few strategies to help you manage your anxiety and take control of your thoughts and feelings:

Take a Break

Sometimes when we get overwhelmed with responsibilities or other stressors it feels like we can’t afford to step away from it all. But giving yourself permission to take a time-out will help you handle things better when you come back to them. Take a moment to do something relaxing like listening to music, meditating, practicing yoga, or getting a massage.

Eat Right

Don’t skip meals or rely on junk food to sustain you. Make sure that you are eating well-balanced meals and have snacks on hand that will give you energy. Giving your body the right kind of fuel will help you have the strength and presence of mind to combat stress in more productive ways.

Think Twice about Alcohol and Caffeine

Alcohol and caffeine have the ability of aggravating anxiety and causing panic attacks. If either one is a big part of your diet, you may want to reconsider your consumption habits.

Make Sleep a Priority

Starving your body of the rest that it needs will not help you fight off stress and anxiety. When dealing with particularly stressful things, your body requires even more sleep to function properly.

Stay Active

Daily exercise will not only keep you healthy, but will also help you maintain a better mood and a positive attitude. Maintaining a positive attitude  and replacing negative thoughts with positive ones is crucial to managing anxiety. If you devote even just a small amount of time every day to staying active, you will see great improvements in your mood.

Breathe and Count

If you need help calming down in the moment, try taking slow, deep breaths. You can also try counting to 10 or 20 to help bring yourself down to a more relaxed state.

Practice Acceptance

Accept that you’re not perfect and be proud that you’ve done or are doing your best. Also accept that you can’t be in control of everything all the time and that’s ok. Getting a better perspective of the things you feel stressed about will help you let go of that stress.

Talk to Someone

Don’t be afraid to be honest with others about your feelings. Talking with a friend or family member about what you are experiencing will help them know how best to support you while lifting a bit of the burden off your shoulders. For professional guidance, be sure to reach out to a physician or therapist.

 

For a more in-depth look at how to manage anxiety, check out this comprehensive guide from Calm Clinic.