mental health Mandy Kloppers

4 Coping Mechanisms That May Help Ease Anxiety

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Most people have felt some kind of anxiety at some point in their life. For many of these people, that anxiety will disappear as soon as the situation causing it does. However, for many others, that feeling will linger. Being in a constant state of anxiety can have a massive effect on one’s life. It can affect your sleep, your work, and even your relationships. There are various forms of anxiety and every person will need to handle it differently, but there are a few things you can try that may ease some of it. Keep reading to find out more.

Make time for self-care

Self-care has become quite a trendy subject over the past few years, but it shouldn’t just be a trend. It should be something that you incorporate into your life, preferably daily. Self-care will look different for everyone. For some people, it may be lighting candles, putting on a face mask, and soaking in a bubble bath. Others may want to write or to spend some time without their phone. For many people, diving deeper into their spirituality and religion can help them feel more grounded. They may meditate, or manifest. They may spend time praying or learning more about their religion on sites like the Book of Mormon Central. You can do all of these things, some of these things, or even something entirely different. The point is that you need to make time for yourself. If you don’t, you’ll likely burn out, which will only cause more anxiety.

Therapy

Of course, therapy should be one of the top things you should consider, especially if your anxiety is starting to worsen or affect your daily life. There’s no shame in therapy – in fact, there are many benefits to it. Therapists will be able to teach you coping mechanisms more suited to you and your situation, and they can help you understand the root of your anxiety.

Socialize

This may seem like a bit of an odd thing to throw on this list since socializing can often trigger anxiety for many people. However, many people’s anxiety has worsened due to lockdown and the fact that they’re alone all the time. Due to the pandemic, you can’t go out and see a large group of people, but being in isolation with your own thoughts all the time isn’t ideal either. So, why not schedule a video call with a close friend you haven’t spoken to in a while? Many people shy away from video calls because they feel awkward, but if you start working on your self-confidence, you can overcome that feeling.

Exercise

Having a hard-core, intense workout is sure to get those endorphins flowing and distract you for a while, which will almost certainly reduce your anxiety. That being said, if you’re feeling anxious, you may not be up to such an extreme workout. You should still try to get your body moving, though. A great option is to try yoga because you can pick whether you want a more active and intense workout or a more meditative and restorative workout. Not to mention that there are many benefits of yoga.

Photo by processingly on Unsplash

Mandy Kloppers
Author: Mandy Kloppers

Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.