Anxiety is a general term for feelings of fear, nervousness, and worry. Anxiety disorders can, and do affect how we behave, feel, and react. As someone who suffers from anxiety, I always find it helpful when I come across different tips, tricks, and suggestions on how to manage it without taking some form of medication. I’m a big fan of lists, I feel that they help to organize my feelings and thoughts; it’s actually quite calming for me. So I hope this list of anxiety management tips and tricks will help to make a slight difference for you. They won’t cure your anxiety but they will help to manage and control it.
- Create a routine for yourself
- Keep organized: use a planner, keep your space clean and “decluttered”
- Plan ahead: have things to look forward to
- Eat well-balanced meals: do not skip meals, drink lots of water, eat fresh fruit and vegetables and keep healthy snacks on hand
- Exercise: helps to boost your mood and keep you fit
- Get enough sleep: try and get around 8 hours of sleep per night – your body and mind need it
- Limit your caffeine and alcohol (I know it’s hard)!
- Try natural supplements to calm you down: chamomile tea, kava root, valerian root and lavender
- Digital detox: helps to leave you clear minded, follow feeds that will leave you feeling positive
- Journal
- Explore, dream and discover: travel, try something new and experience your city
- Maintain a positive attitude: try yoga, meditation, surround yourself with good people, read
- Talk to someone
- Mental health is just as important as physical health: take time for yourself
- Accept that you cannot control everything
Anxiety disorders are the most common form of mental illness and are highly treatable. I live with anxiety every day, but when I started to embrace my anxiety and not be embarrassed by it, my life slowly started to change. Anxiety is always going to be something I will have to deal with. It’s definitely a roller coaster, but I work on myself every day and by using these tips, I have started to feel more in control of my own mind. As cheesy as it may sound, know that: “Your illness does not define you. Your strength and courage does”.
Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future.
Deepak Chopra