How to Manage Anxiety Symptoms?

We all feel anxious at times in our life. In fact, worrying can actually help us make good decisions for different life situations, but only up to a point. When our anxious thoughts start to get out of hand, it starts to take a toll on us and if we don’t address them, they can affect our quality of life.  The good news is, anxiety is manageable, and you can start by following these tips:

Face negative thoughts head on.

Before you let negative thoughts affect you, ask yourself if they are worth your worry and if they can help you get closer to your goal. If it’s an unhelpful worry, consider challenging those thoughts by using counter evidence. For instance, if your thought is “I am always missing my deadlines, how will I get through my semester?” Then, challenge the word “always”. Look for counter evidence of times when you did meet your deadlines. It may be difficult to do, but you need to do it before it gets the best of you.

Find ways to help you relax.

When anxiety is too much, you will start to feel its effects on your body. Some people have difficulty breathing, an upset stomach, headaches, and trouble sleeping. Some even experience panic attacks. It is helpful to take a preventative approach and look for ways that will help you relax. When you’re faced with a stressful situation, try to practice breathing exercises to help calm your system. You can also practice meditation, yoga or exercise. Something as simple as taking a walk outside or running on a treadmill can help you cope with your anxiety. They also help your body release endorphins, which can make you feel happier.

Accept the fact that you can’t control everything.

We tend to become anxious when we feel a lack of control over important aspects of our life. It is important to recognize that we cannot really have control over all these areas. There may be glitches even in the best of plans and you may encounter challenges that will test you. If things don’t go well, you should remember that there may be other circumstantial factors and it’s not entirely your fault. It’s normal for you to worry but try not to let it get the best of you.  Instead of focusing on what went wrong, focus on what you can do to improve the situation. If there’s nothing that you can do about it now, then practice accepting this reality.

Reach out to helpful people

Don’thesitate to communicate with family and friends about your anxiety. Dealingwith anxiety can be difficult when you’re alone, so don’t be afraid to talkabout it with people who care about you. Anxiety is not something that youshould be ashamed of. There are many people who deal with anxiety and you canlearn to manage it. Connect with a counselling professional if you feel thatyour anxiety is impacting your day-to-day life.