Coping with Anxiety: 6 Ways You Can Regain Control

Feeling tired, restless, and unable to focus? These three are just some of the signs that you are feeling anxious. After all, anxiety is our natural response to stress. 

 

 

Anxiety can be triggered by genetics, phobia, chronic illnesses and pains, trauma, and even caffeine. Left unmanaged, these can give rise to physical reactions like hyperventilation, gastrointestinal problems, and even trembling. While we all have different anxiety triggers and reactions, managing anxiety is important for all of us to be able to move forward in our lives. 


Managing anxiety takes a lot of time and self-reflection to be able to pinpoint what truly triggers us. Some need to do talk therapy, meditation, and even consult a therapist to resolve underlying issues. But there are different techniques that each of us can do to be calmer during our daily lives’ uncertain times. 


Question Your Negative Thoughts

 

Anxiety has a way of distorting any situation and making it appear worse than it actually is. When this happens, challenge these thoughts and use logic to face them. This will help you gain back control of your thoughts. 

 

 


Do Deep Breaths

One of the symptoms of anxiety is the rise in one’s heart rate. You can slow down your heart rate and calm yourself down just by focusing on deep breaths. Simply inhale for 4 counts and exhale for 4 counts and do this for 5 minutes. 

Aromatherapy can be helpful too as you do your deep breathing. Essential oils, incense, and scented candles can help relieve anxiety. Try products that have lavender, chamomile, and sandalwood for their calming effect. 

Keep Yourself Healthy

 

If you are feeling anxious, physical activity could help ease things for you. Walking can expose you to some fresh air and give you the circulation you need. Practicing yoga, on the other hand, will command your full attention to do its poses. Apart from exercise, getting enough sleep, proper nutrition, and staying connected with people you trust are also important to keep yourself healthy. 


Keep a Journal

 

Your thoughts can escalate very quickly if it is left swimming in your head. Writing down what you think and feel will help you look at your concerns in a more concrete way, making it less daunting. This technique not only helps those who experience anxiety every now and then, but this will also work well with those who have a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).   


Seek a Therapist


A therapist can help you identify what is triggering your anxiety. They can offer perspectives that are otherwise hidden from your point of view and provide you steps on how to be able to resolve deeply-rooted issues. Knowing what triggers your anxiety is important so you can limit your exposure to it.   


Purple Meditation

 

Amethyst is the best crystal for managing stress. The more you are exposed to its presence, the greater its calming benefits. Wearing amethyst jewelry, especially as you do yoga, will help you relax. 


You can try purple meditation, too! Sit down in a comfortable position and hold a crystal pillar in your hands. Do focus deep breaths and imagine purple light from the amethyst filling your body from your head down to every part of your body. As you exhale, imagine that negativity is going out of your mouth. 


Dealing with uncertainty is part of human life. While stress and anxiety cannot be avoided, it should not be allowed to control our lives and our decisions. We can always choose what affects our energy, our minds, and our bodies. When we choose what is truly good for us, we can help empower others to do the same. 


Sources:


Hirschlag, A. (2018, December 18). Do you live with anxiety? Here are 11 ways to cope. Retrieved from:

(https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/how-to-cope-with-anxiety#when-to-see-a-professional


How to use natural amethyst to crush stress. (n.d.) Retrieved from:

https://cosmiccuts.com/blogs/healing-stones-blog/how-to-use-natural-amethyst-to-crush-stress