Simple Ways to Manage your Anxiety

Anxiety. It manifests itself in the most annoying of ways, often in the most inconvenient of times. For example, you’ve been in your bed for more than two hours, staring at your ceiling, thinking about your job, your bills, the kids’ grades, the mortgage—all things keeping your mind going late at night. You try all your might to sleep, especially since you have to be up at 6 the next day.

Everyone’s been through those motions at some point in their lives. The good news is that you don’t have to be a nervous wreck all of the time. With some simple—some would say odd—techniques, you can keep your anxious feelings at bay and lead a productive life.

1. Repeat your worry until it bores you

Sometimes, the best way to get over your worries is to bore yourself just thinking about them. For instance, if heights make you nervous, going to high places over and over again helps you get used to the feeling of nervousness, until such a time that heights become ordinary. Likewise, going over what worries you over and over again—saying it out loud—will only make you want to give up thinking about the problem.

2. Set aside time to “worry”

Most of us lead such stressful, jam-packed lives that we hardly have time to even think and go over our thoughts one at a time. It’s why insomnia is so common—bedtime is the only quiet time we get during the day to actually think!

Set aside at least 30 minutes of “me” time dedicated to your worries. If you have some problems bugging you during the day, list them down and go over them later during “me” time. You’ll be able to control your emotions much better, not to mention get sleep.

3. Breathe

Pay attention to your body the next time you’re anxious or stressed—you’ll notice you’re holding your breath. Whenever you’re feeling a surge of anxiety, frustration, and anger, close your eyes, breathe in and out slowly, and collect your thoughts. When you’re stressed, your body is in a fight or flight mode, which heightens your senses, o adrenaline coursing through your veins, and gets your heart racing. Bring your body back to normal with slow breathing, and you’ll find yourself more relaxed and better equipped to deal with whatever’s causing your anxiety.