5 Ways to Cope With Anxiety
Anxiety can be a challenging emotion to manage, especially when it becomes overwhelming. It can affect different aspects of our lives, from our relationships to our work and our overall well-being. Especially living in a place like Los Angeles there is often a lot going on and people are trying to juggle multiple balls at once. However, with the right coping strategies, it's possible to learn to manage anxiety and regain control. Here are five ways to cope with anxiety:
1. Name It to Tame It
One effective way to manage anxiety is to acknowledge and name it. This means identifying the specific thoughts and feelings that trigger your anxiety, and naming the feeling as anxiety. This allows you to better understand your anxiety and develop effective strategies for managing it. Naming your anxiety can also help you recognize when it arises and develop strategies for coping with it.
2. Externalize The Anxiety
Anxiety can feel overwhelming and all-encompassing, but it's important to remember that it's just a feeling. One way to externalize anxiety is to imagine it as a separate entity, like a cloud or a wave. This can help you create a distance between yourself and your anxiety and make it easier to manage.
3. Differentiate What I Can Control vs. What I Can’t Control
It's important to recognize the difference between what you can control and what you can't control. When it comes to anxiety, there are certain things you can control, like your own actions. You can also control how you respond to anxiety-provoking situations. However, there are also many things that you can't control, like external events or other people's behavior. Focusing on what you can control can help you feel more empowered and reduce feelings of anxiety. It is also helpful to think through what things you can control and make a plan to address these things, and then try to set aside the things you cannot control.
4. Tolerate the Anxiety and Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged in the moment. It's a useful tool for managing anxiety because it helps you focus on the present instead of worrying about the future. Mindfulness can take many forms, including meditation, yoga, or simply paying attention to your breath. By practicing mindfulness regularly, you can train your brain to be more present and less reactive to anxiety. Tolerating the anxiety is a crucial skill in managing it. When we try to make the anxiety go away, it usually comes back stronger and we don’t develop the ability to tolerate it. Learning to sit with anxiety and not immediately try to avoid it helps with anxiety in the long term.
5. Explore What Is Underneath The Anxiety
Sometimes anxiety is a symptom of a deeper issue. It's important to explore what may be driving your anxiety, such as past trauma or unresolved emotional issues. Sometimes anxiety is the first feeling we can identify but it is connected to deeper feelings or fears. Working with a therapist or counselor can help you identify and address these underlying issues, which can in turn help you manage your anxiety more effectively.
In conclusion, managing anxiety requires patience and persistence. These five strategies can help you learn to cope with anxiety and regain control over your life. Remember to be kind to yourself and seek professional help if you feel overwhelmed. With time and practice, you can learn to manage your anxiety and lead a more fulfilling life. If you want extra support, I would love to help. Feel free to call me at (424) 231-5877 for a free 15-minute phone consultation or send me a message. If you are looking for help with eating disorders, anxiety, or relationship issues, you can read more about how I can help here.