Good Habits to Help Ease Everyday Anxiety

Nov 20

Stress is not desirable, and it comes with varying waves of intensity. The body’s response to stress is often led by anxiety. Anxiety can be described as feelings of intense fear because of the apprehension of a particular outcome.

Though anxiety is a normal response to stressors, for some persons it might be a bit more advanced and is reflected in the form of an anxiety disorder.

Regardless of your current situation it is important to know that you are not your anxiety and there are many ways you can confront your fears that they never rule your life – these are termed as coping mechanisms.

Believe it or not, everyone employs coping mechanisms through stressful situations. Its important not to judge your anxiety reactions to someone one else to harbor the feelings of defeat but instead embrace your story and approach it accordingly disorder or not. With therapy anxiety or anxiety disorder can be improved and overcome effectively offering you back quality of life without tools to conquer daily disruptions if they popup.

As we continue to explore the topic of anxiety you can expect to learn more about anxiety, differentiating it from a disorder, accepting your anxiety, and healthy habits/coping mechanisms that will aid in easing your everyday anxiety.

What is Anxiety?

As expressed, earlier anxiety is a normal reaction every human being faces when responding to stress. It comes in the form of deep feelings of fear differing in intensity for each person.

Common scenarios where anxious feelings can be identified are job interviews, first day of school, and presentations at work, school, or a social gathering.

Though anxiety is a normal experience for every individual, it is important to note that extreme feelings of anxiety that are quite continuous, lasting over six months, and interfere with your everyday life cold be signs of an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders, though different from everyday reaction to stress triggered anxiety, should not allow you to view yourself as odd but merely that you require more intentional habits to manage your everyday anxiety with the help of a mental health professional. Be sure to note that even persons with everyday anxiety that are not disorders do benefit from the help of a mental health professional to cope better.

Anxiety Symptoms

Each person will experience different extremities of anxiety which is often coupled with a disconnect from your mind and physical body.

However, common anxiety symptoms include

· Elevated heart rate

· Feelings of restlessness

· Inability to concentrate

· Struggle to fall asleep

· Short of breath

· Nightmares

· Disturbing thoughts

· Unwanted memories

Anxiety vs Anxiety Disorder

This will help you to grasp a better understanding of the difference between anxiety and anxiety disorders. Remember, whatever you do, don’t self-diagnose after viewing the list. Regardless with directed help from a professional you will overcome and not be defeated. Let’s take a look.

Anxiety

A typical reaction to a stressful period or situation

Normally has a start point and an end point.

In some situations, it can act as a motivation and becomes significantly less after the situation has passed.

Relaxing allows you to feel better gradually

Anxiety Disorder

Last for weeks or months without any specific end.

In some situations, it can act as a motivation and becomes significantly less after the situation has passed.

Disrupts everyday living, even without a specific situation and is often negative and impacts your outlook.

Almost impossible to calm down and manage your feelings. Often coupled with sweating, racing heart, trembling and lightheadedness.

A list of anxiety disorders are generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, social anxiety, phobia, illness anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and panic disorder.

Daily Healthy Anxiety Coping Habits

· Talk to someone you trust. Never underestimate the powerful benefits of talking to someone you can trust about your stressors. Speaking up is essential to dealing with your anxiety triggers on daily basis. Have you realized just how much better you feel when you speak about the things that cause you distress? This is because its never healthy to keep your issues as a burden on your mind as it blurs your judgment in your everyday physical, mental, emotional, and social life.

· Exercise. Did you know that exercise is a natural way to drastically reduce anxiety symptoms? Exercise is great at reducing stress because it produces endorphins. Endorphins act as painkillers in the body reducing stress and improving the quality of sleep.

· Practice gratitude. Interestingly, studies have proven that practicing gratitude is a great way to lessen anxiety. Gratitude not only lessens anxiety but overall improves mental health. Other benefits of practicing gratitude include, strengthened and ongoing relationships.

· Journal. One of the main reasons why journaling is a great option for anxiety management is it provides exceptional stress- release. Feelings of overwhelm related to anxiety tremendously decrease when journaling becomes a daily practice. It even encourages a better relationship with self which increases an overall feel of positivity.

· Practice mindfulness. The ability to be mindful comes with connecting with your inner self and tapping into a place of peace, quiet and stillness. Mindfulness helps with anxiety by calming your thought and even negative emotions of the past. Five minutes of meditation/mindfulness daily can go a far way. It takes the emphasis from what is happening outward to focus directly on your present moment which essentially keeps you from getting trapped in your anxious thoughts and concerns.

· Seek therapy. Ask your self this question. Other than stigma and how others might view you if they knew you were going to therapy, what is keeping you away from therapy for your anxiety? It takes courage but do it still – do it for you. Did you know that therapy has the potential of unlocking your hidden fears and worries that keep you stuck in an anxiety cycle?

Therapy is a beautiful opportunity to go on a date to learning and understanding yourself- the session is all about you never about the therapist.

Therapy will give you an alternative outlook of situations and assist you to view them in a less frightening manner, identify and manage the areas that lead to anxiety, teaches you how to be more relaxed, teaches you better problem-solving skills and ways to cope in stressful situations.

With therapy session your negative thoughts are confronted with your permission and replaced with more positive and realistic thoughts encouraging mental health.

Therapy is the door to overcoming anxiety. It equips you with the requisite tools and teaches you how to effectively execute them.

Final Thoughts

Seeking help for anxiety from a counsellor is never being a coward, it’s the embrace of true freedom. Anxiety can be quite overwhelming at times but what’s important is that you incorporate good habits daily that will not only help you to cope today but one that will make a great impact on even the future.

You will thank yourself everyday when you picture the new you in the mirror. You deserve to live anxiety eased days.

You are worth it!