Coping With Anxiety
Tips on Coping with Anxiety
We have all felt the results of stress and depression at some point in life, and learning the best methods of coping with anxiety can help to reduce the effects of any recurrences.
Anxiety is that feeling of tension that builds when an unknown threat faces us. Losing a job while household bills mount; waiting for the results of a medical test; suspicion of a spouse having an affair; these and many other situations can cause a tightening in the chest, sweating, trembling, upset stomach, headache and more. Sometimes the cause isn’t really known. In normal situations, this emotion is designed to help us, since anxiety alerts us to an oncoming problem so that we are able to flee away from the situation. When anxious feelings are constant, however, it is a signal of something gone wrong.
When occasional bouts of anxiety hit, it is helpful simply to deal with the situation that faces you. Identify the nature of the threat or danger and determine a solution for handling the situation so that it is resolved. Avoiding a situation is not the answer, since it will simply rear its ugly head again later in life to produce the same anxious feelings. The feeling of being in control can greatly assist in relieving the stress because it removes the dreaded unknown factor. If the anxiety is due to uncertainty in a relationship or at work, facing the problem is the best means of managing. While bringing an issue to a head may not give you the answer or solution that you desire, it will at least achieve the goal of removing the unknown which should relieve the tension.
To effectively avoid tension when possible, design methods of managing the situations that cause the stress. If it is bill paying that is stressful, plan a budget that accounts for all cash flow both in and out; then be sure to stick to it. If deadlines for school or work are a problem, design a workable schedule that allows time for studying or focusing on a project so that it is completed either before or on time. Taking the time to prepare for the situation before it can cause tension will give you control and power over the situation.
We all know how beneficial positive reinforcement can be, and likely use it to rally around friends and family members when they are feeling down. That same technique can be used on ourselves when stressful situations arise. Instead of feeling defeated and beating up on oneself with thoughts of “I can’t handle this” or “this is too much for me”, replace those words with positive action words that help with coping with anxiety. Thinking instead of statements like “this situation is tricky but I can work through it” will instill the empowering feelings that will help you to conquer the anxiety.
It is always important for people to have a healthy diet and exercise regime, but even more so when frequent bouts of anxiety are involved. Fast foods with high fat and calorie content and junk foods with large amounts of salt or sugar should be eliminated from the diet, and replaced with high protein, low fat alternatives along with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Alcoholic beverages tend to exacerbate the problem areas in life, so these should be avoided at all costs during stressful times. Exercising releases “feel good” endorphins that are highly beneficial, especially when stress or tension threaten to intervene. Restructuring your daily habits can enable you to gain control before stress occurs.
Learning methods of coping with anxiety can help with occasional bouts of tension. If anxiety occurs on a continual basis, it may be time to consult with a doctor in order to gain better control of your life.