Anxiety is one thing that so many people suffer with every day. It is not something that ever really goes away, but you can learn ways to gain a bit of control over it. Read the following article to gain some knowledge of methods of coping to get some control over the anxiety you feel.
When you’re feeling down, cheer yourself up with your favorite comedy movies or TV shows. One of the best ways to get you out of a slump is with some laughter. So have a night full of comedy relief, you’ll see that laughing can really make you feel a lot better about yourself.
Proper breathing is essential to reducing sudden feelings of anxiety. Using a count to control your breathing can be an effective way to reduce anxious feelings. Pick a count, such as 3 in, and 3 out. Repeat this pattern, until the feelings of anxiety have resolved, and passed.
When people are under high emotional stress, they might find it difficult to eat on a regular basis and possibly experience significant changes in their metabolism. So, if you are experiencing anxiety, you need to make sure that the meals you eat are full of nutrients, and you are not wasting your effort eating foods that are not good for you.
If you often find yourself feeling anxious, stay busy. When you have no interests or work to do, your mind may wander. Find something to keep your body and mind occupied. A simple task, such as vacuuming the floor or washing the dishes, can do a lot for your mood.
Learn to breathe deeply from your diaphragm. When you take deep, regular breaths from your diaphragm, you will increase your calming feelings and begin to relax. Focus on breathing from your midsection, near your belly button. The stomach should extend outwards, if the breath is coming from the right area.
Do not spend your days sitting around. It you have to sit at work, get up and move around when you can. Even just standing up can help get your blood moving. When you are at home, keep moving, exercise or take walks. Also, spend less time watching TV and sitting around on the couch. While you do require relaxation and rest, too much of it triggers a cascade effect that can actually promote anxiety.
If you have a small snack that is high in protein right before you go to bed, you will help your body keep steady blood sugar in the night. Many times your panic attacks and anxiety will happen in the middle of the night. The cause of this is often low blood sugar, so a snack will help you stay asleep.
Stay busy; the more you have to do, the less time you will have to think about what might be bothering you in your life. You will be able to then set some time aside to figure out your issues, without constantly having to worry about them throughout the day.
When you are having an anxiety attack, it is a good idea to splash your face with cold water. Many people have heard this, but they may not do it because they think that it is not going to really help them. Actually, it causes what is known as a dive reflex, and it sends a message to your brain to tell your body to slow down.
Find something else to focus on. Instead of thinking about whatever it is that is causing your anxiety, find something calm, peaceful and serene to focus on. It could be a good memory, a future dream or goal, or just something that you find calm and soothing. Don’t forget to take deep breaths as you do this.
Avoid things that could raise your blood pressure. This includes high levels of salt and sodium, caffeine and even alcohol. These substances can raise your heart rate and your blood pressure, making your anxiety symptoms worse. While avoiding these items might not eliminate your anxiety, it will keep it from feeling so out of control.
Make a habitual practice of staying present in the moment. Focusing on the past or the future is a bad habit for people with anxiety. These thoughts often inspire unnecessary stress which can likewise trigger anxiety attacks. Try to only focus on the task at hand, and that’s how you can keep anxiety at a level you can manage.
If you are a big coffee drinker you should do yourself a huge favor and switch to decaffeinated coffee. Many people that suffer from anxiety do not realize the negative effects that coffee can have on their moods. Switching to decaf is a good idea, if you do not want to stop drinking coffee altogether.
Staying away from alcohol, foods and drinks that contain caffeine, may be wise if you suffer from anxiety. Both of these items contain ingredients that can set off and make anxiety much worse. Try drinking more water, instead and try out decaffeinated versions of your favorite beverages, such as, coffee.
Perhaps the most important step with dealing with anxiety is admitting that you have a problem. Once you admit to yourself that you have an issue with anxiety, you can put yourself in a mindset where you are prepared to deal with it. Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery.
One way to cope with anxiety is to just breathe! By focusing on your breathing and taking slow, even breaths is one of the easiest ways to relax. Start by counting to five as you inhale, then exhale for the same amount of time. You’ll start to feel calmer, and you’ll buy yourself some time to deal with a difficult situation.
You do not have to allow your anxiety to rule your life. Use the advice in the article above to gain control over your life. Get out and experience what the world has to offer without suffering from anxiety attacks that can destroy a good day out with the family.