Anxiety is an issue that affects millions of people but it may not seem that way for an individual. Those who live with anxiety disorders feel as though they are the only ones in the world who feel this way but they are not alone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 40 million adults suffer from anxiety issues.
There are a few ways to help maintain anxiety on a day-to-day basis. Here are a few great tools and mindsets to utilize when having to face daily anxiety.
Those who live with anxiety know that worry is inevitable. The ability to manage your anxiety will ultimately allow you to continue your daily tasks with having your self-doubt consume you. Put aside time to mentally process situations that will occur and how you will potentially react to them. This will appease your anxiety enough to not have it linger throughout the day.
Living and coping with anxiety is a process that does not happen overnight. Those who have anxiety know that the big picture can seem too daunting to even try, so it is important to have the perspective of taking small steps to achieve the larger goal. Each small step is one closer to accomplishing what you want.
Life is full of the unexpected so it is important to prepare yourself for those situations. Those hundreds of different scenarios playing in your head may not be the one that actually happens so it is helpful to expect the unexpected. Find an inner dialogue or mantra that can help you process impromptu situations so you do not shut down at a small gathering or in a public setting.
Anxiety will create scenarios in your mind that are not actually happening. It tells you that something may be going terribly wrong in a social situation that may not be entirely true. Do not let your anxiety exaggerated normal human responses; take control of your mind. For example, a rapid heartbeat does not mean you are about to have a heart attack; it is your body’s reaction to environmental stimulus.
What can you do while being anxious? Anything you want. It feels as though the world is telling you to stop, turn around, and be alone but you do not have to. Do not be a victim to yourself but someone who can manage their inner dialogue and rise above those self-saboteurs who are telling you “no.”
For more resources on how to take the next step with dealing with an anxiety disorder visit Anxiety and Depression Association of America.