Tips for coping with anxiety
Some small tips to help with anxiety:
Keep a record: Keep a note of what you are doing, and when you feel anxious, this will help you to identify what your triggers are.
Relax: Practise breathing exercises or mindfulness to try and reduce your tension and bring yourself in to the present moment.
Worry time: Set a specific time to think about the things that make you anxious, going through them at this time, can help you focus away from them during the day.
Change perspective: Try and look at your situation from an outsider’s point of view, think about what advice you would give yourself.
Face your fears: avoiding situations can keep anxiety going, building up time in stressful situations will help the anxious feelings gradually subside.
Identify any unhealthy coping mechanisms: Some coping mechanisms such as drinking too much or social withdrawal can actually cause problems further down the line.
Get active: Physical activity is proven to reduce stress levels.
Get connected: Often an anxiety response is to avoid company, but social engagement, can play a role in reducing stress. It’s important to have friendships/relationships in which you feel safe, seen and understood.