Anxiety strikes all of us at some point or another. For some, it’s a constant companion that takes daily work. For others, it hits due to big stressful events in life. And now that the holidays are here, there are plenty of opportunities for anxiety to overwhelm us. We’ve pulled together some tips to help you manage that anxiety.
Walk Away
Look, walking away from your problems isn’t always a great solution, but taking the time to regroup and ratchet down the stress levels can really help you manage the anxiety that comes with certain things in life.
Keep a Good Eating Schedule
Our bodies are amazing things, but sometimes the smallest things can throw them out of whack. Make sure you’re consistently eating (ideally healthy) food so that your blood sugar and hunger hormones aren’t all over the place.
Skip that Drink
While the glass of wine or bottle of beer can seem like a good way to cope with stress, it’ll often do more harm than good. Alcohol can mess with your brain chemistry in a way that triggers a panic attack.
Pick a Breathing Technique
Try to pick a deep breathing technique to become familiar with so that you always have it to turn to. The familiarity can help as well.
Try a Little Acceptance
Is it pleasant to feel anxiety creep up on you? No, but it’s often pretty normal in many situations. Instead of ratcheting up your anxiety even more, try to acknowledge that some of it will come with the territory.
Let Go of Control
You’re not going to be able to control the outcome of every situation. You’re also not individually responsible for the outcome of every situation, or for the way others act.
Humor Goes a Long Way
Sometimes all you need is a bit of a laugh at your situation to bring down the anxiety levels.
Understand Triggers
Some situations will make you especially anxious, such as crowds or talking to strangers. Other times, you may notice you’re prone to anxiety when you haven’t slept well. Know what your triggers are and keep notes on it.
Know that it Can’t Hurt You
Anxiety can get really, really bad! But it can’t hurt you. It doesn’t mean that you’re going crazy, either.
Ask for Help
If your brain has really decided that it’s not going to respond to these tips, it’s a good idea to get some professional help. A therapist can bring out the big anti-anxiety guns and help you figure out how to cope better.
