In today’s often complex and hectic world, we all experience some degree of situational anxiety from time to time. It might be triggered by a challenging task, an unexpected expense, a health concern, or other issue that can be dealt with easily.
For some people, however, they experience feelings of excessive anxiety, fear, terror, or panic almost all the time, stemming from everyday situations. At this point, anxiety is a form of mental illness that can have a detrimental effect on one’squality of life and prevent them from functioning normally. Common symptoms of an anxiety disorder include:
- Intense feelings of nervousness
- Feelings of helplessness
- An overwhelming sense of impact danger, doom, or panic
- Increased heart rate
- Hyperventilation
- Sweating
- Involuntary trembling
- Obsessive thinking about the panic trigger
As a result of these feelings of anxiety and panic, people struggling with anxiety disorder may avoid certain places or situations or otherwise feel disrupted in their daily lives. However, if you or a loved one are suffering from an anxiety disorder, there are coping mechanisms and lifestyle changes that can help manage these feelings. Here are 10 anxiety calming methods that can drastically change your relationship with anxiety.
10 Anxiety Calming Methods
- Exercise to reduce stress.Being physically active has been shown to improve one’s mood, as well as helping to keep you healthy.
- Maintain a healthy diet.Studies show that eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fish may help reduce anxiety.
- Get plenty of rest. Your brain needs adequate sleep – at least seven or more hours per night – to be sharp and alert. One way to create a healthy sleep habit is by going to bed and waking up at the same time.
- Use mindfulness and meditation practices.These stress management and relaxation techniques can reduce anxiety and promote calmness.
- Refrain from alcohol consumption and recreational drugs.Contrary to the belief that a glass of wine or a shot of whisky will make you more mellow, consistent use of alcohol and drugs can actually cause or worsen your anxiety in the long term.
- Stop smoking. Again, the notion that having a cigarette can have a calming effect is false when, in fact, nicotine can exacerbate the symptoms of anxiety.
- Avoid caffeinated beverages.Caffeine has the same aggravating effects on anxiety as alcohol and nicotine.
- Socialize as much as possible. Human interaction has a nurturing effect on those with an anxiety disorder, especially when interacting with loved ones.
- Put your feelings in writing. Detailing your experiences in a journal can help provide personal insight into what is triggering your stress and help identify what helps to make you feel better.
- Seek therapeutic counseling. A mental health professional can not only help you identify your anxiety triggers, but also work with you to explore your feelings, beliefs, and behaviors to help you better understand yourself, create desired change, and develop effective response strategies for the future.
Anxiety Calming Methods in Atlanta and Alpharetta, Georgia
If you are dealing with anxiety, the therapists at Atlanta Specialized Care will work with you one-on-one in a safe, caring, and confidential environment. We offer scientifically backed interventions and compassionate care to create the life you want. Our treatment plans focus on your mental health and your unique needs by addressing your mind, body, spirit, family system, vocation, and hobbies.
To learn more about our anxiety calming methods or to request an appointment at our office, please call Atlanta Specialized Care at (770) 815-6853 or arrange a consultation online by using our interactive appointment request form. We look forward to working with you and finding the root cause of your anxiety!
