It’s pretty normal to be anxious at times. That anxiety can even be helpful at times as it pushes us to be our best in challenging situations. Being overly anxious however is different. Being overly anxious can lead to undue stress and have a negative impact on most every aspect of our lives.

Learning to manage our anxiety can often be the difference between success and failure. Better managing our anxiety will absolutely improve our level of happiness and productivity. The better we manage our anxiety level the better our relationships with other people will be. If you find yourself often overly anxious know this fact… you do not need to live your life that way. You may be able to take some specific actions that will enable you to manage your anxiety and perhaps even turn it into a positive part of your life.

Taking control of your anxiety involves a combination of lifestyle changes, self-care practices, and in some cases, professional help. Here are some strategies you can do on your own or with a mentor that may help.

Understand Your Anxiety:

• Educate yourself about anxiety to better understand its nature and triggers.

• Keep a journal to track patterns and identify specific situations that provoke anxiety.

Practice Relaxation Techniques:

• Deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, and meditation can help calm your mind.

• Progressive muscle relaxation involves tensing and then slowly releasing each muscle group.

Regular Exercise:

• Physical activity is known to reduce anxiety by releasing endorphins, which act as natural mood lifters.

• Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.

Healthy Lifestyle:

• Prioritize sleep; establish a regular sleep schedule and create a relaxing bedtime routine.

• Maintain a balanced diet with nutritious foods and limit caffeine and sugar intake.

Limit Stimulants:

• Reduce or eliminate the consumption of stimulants like caffeine, as they can exacerbate anxiety symptoms.

Set Realistic Goals:

• Break larger tasks into smaller, more manageable goals.

• Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small.

Time Management:

• Organize your time effectively to prevent feeling overwhelmed.

• Prioritize tasks and focus on one thing at a time.

Social Support:

• Share your feelings with friends or family, it’s amazing how sometimes just talking about our anxiety can help reduce it.

• Consider joining a support group or talking to a mental health professional. There is absolutely positively no shame in doing this. I’d even say at times it’s literally heroic. So if you can’t manage your anxiety alone by all means and any means seek help.

• When anxiety persists or significantly interferes with your daily life, that’s your indication it’s time to seek help from a mental health professional.

Self-Compassion:

• Be kind to yourself. Understand that everyone faces challenges, and it’s okay not to be perfect.

• Challenge negative thoughts and replace them with more positive and realistic ones.

• Don’t beat yourself up over anxiety. Everyone feels anxious from time to time, not everyone has the courage to face up to it.

I can’t stress enough that if your anxiety is consistently and negatively affecting parts of your life then you should consider consulting with a healthcare professional. They can give you personalized advice tailored to your specific situation. They’ll provide guidance on the most appropriate strategies and interventions based on your individual needs.

Just remember, you don’t have to live an anxious. You can take action to overcome it.