Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions across the globe. In most cases, it won’t merely “go away” on its own. Most people who struggle with anxiety symptoms need the help of mental health professionals to treat anxiety.
Unfortunately, people who don’t find ways of treating it can find themselves somewhat debilitated by it, and if left untreated, anxiety can lead to other conditions like depression and substance abuse. Then it’s easy for anxious thoughts to take over your life completely.
But, there are things you can do on your own to cope with your symptoms. Anxiety management is often half the battle, after all.
Let’s cover a few useful coping skills and strategies you can use to keep your anxiety symptoms at bay and take better control of your life again.
1. Be More Mindful
Mindfulness is more than just a buzzword that’s getting thrown around nowadays. It’s an incredibly useful strategy that can be used to calm the effects of anxiety regularly.
The practice of mindfulness includes letting go of thoughts of the past and future. Instead, focus on the present moment. Focus on your breathing and how your body feels right now. Feelings will continue to come, and that’s okay. Think of them as clouds passing by, and let them come and go freely.
Even a few minutes of mindfulness each day, especially when dealing with a trigger, can make a big difference.
2. Remind Yourself of Your Strength
If you’re going through a particularly anxious moment or experiencing a trigger, try to think back on the past stressors you’ve been through and how you got through them. Reminiscing on challenging times in your life can offer plenty of insight and wisdom.
Sometimes, simply recognizing that you can get through something (because you’ve done it in the past) and have built resilience can make it easier to deal with it. Think about what helped you cope in the past and use those strategies now.
3. Don’t Deny Your Feelings
It’s not uncommon for people with anxiety, worry, or stress to deny their feelings or ignore them. Unfortunately, that never works. While you may temporarily cover them, they will always come to the surface and likely stronger than before.
It’s okay to acknowledge your feelings of anxiety. In doing so, you can more easily identify what’s causing them. When you get to the root of the issue, you have a better chance of learning how to manage it. Some people even benefit from journaling their feelings, so they can look back on management techniques that work and how far they have come with their coping skills.
4. Rely On a Support System
Developing coping skills for anxiety means surrounding yourself with people who can support your decisions and strategies. Family members and friends are great built-in supporters who can provide a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on when needed.
Don’t be afraid to share your experiences with anxiety with those closest to you. While it might be a bit nerve-racking at first, sharing your feelings is a great way to know you have people on your side who are willing to listen and help.
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Anxiety Therapist in Columbus
Anxiety doesn’t go away on its own. While these coping skills can help you daily, getting to the root of your fears is the best way to learn to manage your anxiety on a long-term basis. Together, we can work through those issues and develop even more strategies to cope with your anxiety.
If you’re struggling with anxiety, you don’t have to go through it alone. We can help. While having a support system is a great place to start, talk therapy can help you process your anxiety and further develop coping skills to manage your symptoms. Blue Boat Counseling currently offers online therapy for those struggling with anxiety living in the state of Ohio. Contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our Columbus therapists who specialize in anxiety. We’re here for you.
