If you are someone that has just been dealing with your anxiety, you may be looking for tips on managing it a little better. You shouldn’t ignore the feelings of panic and terror in certain situations, as there are a wide range of things that can help. Here are some tips to help you get started on living a normal life with anxiety.
Find Healthy Distractions
The trick here is to find things or situations that will distract you from your anxiety and worry, but won’t make matters worse. Too many people find unhealthy ways to cope, such as temporarily putting a halt to panic and anxiety with alcohol, but then wake up the next day feeling even worse than before they started drinking. Look for healthier ways to distract yourself, such as picking up a new hobby, using adult coloring books, or writing in a journal. These can put your mind in a different place and hopefully stop a panic attack before it gets too bad.
Learn How to Stop Panic Attacks
What you should know about putting a stop to a panic attack is that a method that works for someone else might not work for you. It takes a little trial and error until you figure out the methods that are going to help you as an individual. The following include some different things you can try:
- Count backward from 100
- Say “NO!” out loud as many times as needed
- Listen to music
- Watch a movie or television show
- Call someone on the phone who can calm you down
Start Living a Healthier Lifestyle
The healthier you are on a physical level, the better you will be on a mental level. Not only are you going to cut back on stimulants like alcohol and caffeine, but you should also look for other ways to improve your health. Things like eating better and focusing on proper nutrition, not smoking cigarettes, and getting regular exercise will help tremendously with managing your anxiety on a daily basis.
Know When to Seek Help
Anxiety is not a normal way of life and not something you should just deal with. If it is keeping you from social situations, affecting work or school, or impacting your personal relationships, it is time to get professional help. Talk to your family doctor, a therapist, a counselor, or anyone else that has experience with anxiety and panic attacks.