Everybody gets anxious from time to time, but some people find that it’s so severe and persistent that it affects their everyday life. Anxiety is like a living entity… scratch that, it’s the mental mosquito that plagues your mind with every worst-case scenario imaginable. Sometimes it manifests itself through physical symptoms – the sudden onset of nausea, headaches, and muscle tension. How do you deal with that when you have sh*t to do?!
It makes it impossible to function normally and make reasonable decisions. An anxious person can’t walk into a room without feeling like everyone’s eyes are on them.
The good news is you don’t have to get stuck living with anxiety forever: here are some drug-free ways to fight your anxiety and feel calmer, happier, and more in control of those anxiety mosquitos.
1. Know Your Triggers
A good way to get your anxiety under control is to solve the problem. Is there a reason you’re feeling stressed, or is it just a random panic attack? If you’re having so much trouble identifying the cause, try keeping a journal for a week and then take a look at what happens when certain events occur like arguments with loved ones or coffee before bedtime.
2. Avoid Stimulants
It’s a big mistake to use stimulants if you want to reduce anxiety.
Alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, and other stimulants will only make your anxiety worse, not better. They might seem like quick fixes for stress relief, but they increase our levels of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.
Before you hit that blunt or grab another glass of wine in the evening, stop and think about whether or not it’s making your anxiety worse or better.
Don’t be fooled by stimulants when you’ve set out to reduce anxiety. Be smarter than that!
3. Get Creative
Exposure to creative ventures has been shown to help fight anxiety because they activate the parts of your brain that process those emotions. Instead of being lost in your thoughts, invest in creative ventures that help to fight anxiety.
Try new creative activities like drawing, painting, or playing music for a few minutes every day as a way to de-stress from a stressful day.
4. Be okay with saying no
“There’s more happiness in giving than receiving” is a nice sentiment, but that doesn’t mean you should let others take advantage of your time and goodwill. Sometimes it’s just as okay to “drink water and mind your business”. If you find yourself constantly taking on other people’s burdens, it’s time to set some boundaries. Otherwise, your own anxiety will worsen. So remember: your plate is only so big. Don’t try to take on more than you can handle.
5. Shout It Out
When it comes to pent-up frustration and anxiety, there’s nothing quite like a good scream session to let it all out. It may not be the most traditional method however it’s cathartic, therapeutic, and most of all, it feels really, really good.
So next time you’re feeling stressed out, try Screaming at the top of your lungs. Just be sure to do it in a controlled environment so you don’t scare anybody else in the process!
6. Just breathe!
You might need to take a deep breath. Literally.
Deep breathing has been shown to help the body and mind relax by lowering heart rate and blood pressure and relaxing muscles. Trust me, until I got my anxiety under control I was a 20-something woman walking around with a 65-year-old back. No Bueno! So if you’re feeling a bit tense, try some deep breathing exercises. You can learn and practice them in yoga or guided meditation classes, or simply learn some basic exercises and do them whenever you feel anxious.
Who knows, maybe deep breathing will become your new favorite relaxation technique!
Takeaway
I’ve had problems with anxiety pretty much all my life, and since the pandemic, it has expanded like my waistline lol. It’s a struggle we all deal with at some point, and it’s a very real health problem that needs addressing. In the end, if you have anxiety, see a doctor. Don’t try and handle it yourself. Seek out professional help; consider medication if you need it. A healthy lifestyle and outlook are still important too, but they’re no substitute for real medical attention.
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