Article originally posted on EzineArticles.com
We have all had that moment when anxiety has taken us over. It might happen when you are worried about someone that you love when you feel that you can’t do anything to help them. Or, you could have anxiety associated with work or social situations. And while we find ways to get through these moments, some of them are more effective than others. Here are some tips for dealing with your anxiety.
Take Control Where You Can
One of the things that brings on anxiety is the feeling that you have lost control over a situation or even your own thoughts. And while you might actually have little to no control over that part of your life, there are always things that you can take charge of. For instance, instead of sitting at home and worrying about a presentation the next day at work, you could give yourself a productive task to do for the evening. You might want to clean or organize your home, go to the gym, or even schedule a night out with friends or a loved one.
By doing something that you can control, you are showing yourself that you are capable of working through problems and finding solutions. You are also taking your mind off of the situation that you can’t control and will feel more calm when you go back to it at a later time.
Let Your Thoughts Out
Holding in your anxiety can be one of the worst things that you can do if you’re trying to get over it. It allows your thoughts to start spinning in a loop and this can turn one negative thought into a storm inside your brain that you can’t get out of on your own.
A great solution to this is to talk out your anxieties with someone that you can trust. Sometimes just working through those thoughts with a friend, family member or trained counselor will allow you to step back and find the solution that you have been looking for. It could also give you some perspective on the situation that will show you that what is happening isn’t so bad after all. If you don’t have anyone to talk to, another solution is to work through your thoughts in writing. You might choose to craft a letter to someone or could keep a journal. Some people even choose to turn their anxious thoughts into fiction and this could produce a beautiful story in the end.
Take Care of Yourself
Sometimes, when we have our minds focused on one thing, we can forget about everything else that we need. When you catch yourself in an anxiety loop, snap yourself out of it by taking the time to get yourself the things that you need. Make sure you’re eating properly, exercise and even treat yourself to a little extra relaxation with a spa treatment or indulging in one of your hobbies.
