As the demands of the world continue to increase amid a global pandemic, many anxiety-prone people are experiencing heightened symptoms they may feel are impossible to control. If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. Anxiety disorders account for the largest portion of mental health problems worldwide, making this a problem worth exploring. Luckily, no matter how your anxiety manifests itself in your life, there are many steps you can take to combat unwanted attacks.
Talk to Others About Anxiety
Leaning on your support network can be a great way to vent some of those unwanted feelings of anxiety. By talking to others about your experience, you can work through negative feelings with the support of another person. If you don’t feel comfortable talking about these issues with friends or family, there are still many options available, such as:
- Finding a professional therapist through online websites
- Chatting with others going through similar experiences via online forums
- Keeping a journal and detailing the causes of your anxiety
Find Ways to Reduce Stress
One approach to combating anxiety attacks is to have an activity you can turn to in times of stress that will calm you down. See if any of the following are a good fit for you:
Take Deep Breaths
At the onset of an anxiety attack, some of the more common physical symptoms include an elevated heart rate, sweating, and shallow, rapid breathing. Try to fight these symptoms directly by taking deep breaths in and out, making each breath last a little longer than the last one.
Listen to Relaxing Music
If your feelings of anxiety are starting to well up, taking a break from the world and putting on some headphones might be just the thing you need to calm down. For added relaxation, consider purchasing a pair of noise-canceling headphones. These headphones enhance your listening experience greatly and may even help you calm down further.
Take Care of Yourself
Your own health should always be a priority, and one way to help your mental health is by staying physically active and keeping current with medical checkups.
Get Regular Exercise
Whether it’s walking around the neighborhood or lifting weights at the gym, exercise has routinely been shown to reduce levels of mental stress, helping individuals calm their anxious thoughts. By sticking to a regular exercise routine, you allow your mind time to be free from many of the stressors that cause anxiety attacks.
Eat Nutritiously
Eating whole foods on a regular basis is one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental health. When you avoid junk foods and unhealthy drinks, such as soda or alcohol, you start to feel much better physically, which will put you on the path of living an anxiety-free life.
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