If you are suffering with anxiety you will already know how debilitating it can be. You probably feel alone, like you are not good enough because life is a struggle and unsure of what to do to help yourself. With so much information out there, things can get overwhelming! I understand as I suffered with Anxiety for a long time and know how bad it can be. Anxiety can negatively impact your life in many ways and have an effect on your mental health over time so it's important to look at ways to manage it.
Even if you have already turned to medication to help you, you still need to take some action yourself to successfully manage your anxiety. Check out some of the tips below. These are things I incorporated into my life and they made a big difference to my anxiety.
1. Embrace a healthy lifestyle.
Your lifestyle matters when it comes to anxiety. Start to take notice of your everyday lifestyle.
Are you eating healthily or consuming a lot of junk food? Eating fresh, natural healthy foods will help your anxiety. Also reducing the amount of caffeine and alcohol you consume.
Do you take time to move your body everyday or are you sedentary for much of the time? Make sure you include half an hour of fairly vigorous exercise into your routine such as brisk walking, running, swimming, cycling or even dancing. Many studies have shown the importance of physical exercise for helping anxiety.
Do you get outdoors in the fresh air and regularly have time in nature? Spending time outdoors in nature improves your mood and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
Is your home or work environment cluttered? Being surrounded by clutter in your home or office can make you feel more anxious. Get more organised and reduce the clutter to help reduce feelings of anxiety.
Are you getting sufficient sleep? Anxiety is strongly linked with poor sleep quality. You should be aiming for around 7-8 hours a night. If you are struggling to sleep download your free sleep guide here.
Who do you surround yourself with? Being around unbalanced or negative people who don't have your best interests at heart, put you down or make you feel bad about yourself will only serve to make your anxiety worse. Try to put some distance between yourself and these individuals whenever you can.
Are you being true to yourself? If you make decisions or live in a way that is not in alignment with who you really are then you will be making your anxiety worse.
2. Learn how to love yourself
Learning how to love and accept yourself, even the anxious you, is probably one of the most important things you can do. Many people suffer from anxiety so you are not alone. Try not to put yourself down, instead start to notice when you talk negatively to yourself and consciously turn this around. You can try positive affirmations such as 'even though I feel anxious, I love and accept myself as I am' This can be extremely powerful especially when combined with EFT Tapping. Also make sure you are taking the best care of yourself in a holistic way, nurturing your mind, body and spirit.
3. Notice your breathing
The way you breathe will have an impact on how anxious you are feeling. When you are feeling anxious you are likely to be taking short, shallow breaths from your chest area. By controlling your breathing you activate the parasympathetic nervous system which calms you down and stops the 'fight or flight' response. The most important thing to do when you are feeling anxious is to focus on slowing your breathing down, making the exhales slightly longer than the inhales. Ensure each breath makes your belly rise on the inhale and contract on the exhale. By doing specific breathing exercises that control your breath you can create changes in the brain that lower anxiety.
Download your Free Breathing exercises here.
4. Meditate regularly
Having a daily meditation can be very beneficial in helping you manage anxiety. Meditation has been proven to be helpful for relieving anxiety as it allows you to connect back to yourself and calms your mind. Start with 10 minutes or even less if you are new to meditation as it does take practice. Preferably meditate at the same time every morning to establish the habit. You might want to consider the Meditation for Complete Beginners Course which will give you everything you need to start your own meditation practice. Meditation also activates the parasympathetic nervous system and helps you reset to a calm, centred, and less anxious state. You can even add some shorter Mindfulness Meditation throughout your day. Download your Free exercises here
5. Try Essential Oils
Essential oils can have many benefits for anxiety such as promoting a feeling of calm and helping you feel more relaxed. Try oils such as Bergamot, Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Rose Geranium, or Ylang-ylang in a diffuser or keep a drop on a tissue or piece of fabric to smell when you feel anxious. This is just a selection, there are others that help too. You can learn more in the course Aromatherapy for Beginners - Restore Emotional Balance with Essential Oils. Make sure you know how to use essential oils safely - Free safety guide also available at the link.
Taking a holistic approach to your health and wellbeing is one of the best things you can do to help your anxiety. So take an honest assessment of all aspects of your life to see where you need to find balance.
For more ways to manage anxiety download the Ebook Easy Ways to Reduce Anxiety and Find Balance Naturally or consider the Re-Connect 3 Month Holistic Program.
In warmth
Sharon K
Holistic Health and Wellness Coach
Reiki Master/Teacher
Additional FREE Resource from NST Law on managing more serious anxiety after a car accident
Many are not aware of the connection between PTSD, which is a more serious anxiety disorder, and car accidents, so it is something we wanted to shed some more light on. Not surprisingly, a car accident can be traumatizing for any person involved. It can make getting back behind the wheel seem impossible. That's why we wanted to make a comprehensive guide about PTSD after car accidents. Check it out at the link below.
Not signed up to the newsletter?
Disclaimer
Information provided for general educational purposes only and not intended to replace medical advice
Comments