Have you been feeling overly anxious lately? Well let me tell you that you are not alone! Did you know, that according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America "anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older" every year? Anxiety disorders come in many shapes and sizes, including: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and more. It is no fun to suffer from anxiety and there is help out there. Give these five tips a try and reach out to a local mental health professional when needed.
1: Practice Self-Care
Self-care is an important component in keeping both your body and your mind healthy. Self-care can involve different things and look different from person to person. For me, self-care involves long walks in nature, spending time with my dogs, and regular healthy eating and exercise. Whatever makes you feel your best can be called self-care. Take time to care for you!
2: Meditate
When we meditate we have the ability to guide our body and mind into a state of calmness. Just like self-care, meditation can look different from person to person. Focus on your breath and how it feels to inhale and exhale. By relaxing your body physically you may find that your mind and emotions follow.
3: Recognize Your Triggers
Is work troubling you? Or maybe it is your relationship with your significant other? Whatever it may be that is causing you stress, it is important to recognize it so you can begin to create change in your environment. When you increase your awareness you gain the power to create lasting change.
4: Accept That Anxiety is a Normal Emotion
Everyone feels anxious sometimes. Anxiety is a normal emotion that has evolved to help us deal with impending threats and challenges. Have you ever felt anxious about a test and therefore studied harder than you normally would have? Anxiety can sometimes move us to action and create better outcomes. Remember that it is okay to be anxious sometimes.
5: Talk to Someone
Sometimes just talking to a friend or a loved one can ease your worries and bring you back to a place of peace. Sometimes, you need something more or someone who is not directly involved in the situation. If anxiety is getting in the way of you living a life you love, don't be afraid to reach out to a mental health professional, that is what we are here for!!
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