If you’re one of the 40 million adults experiencing anxiety each year, there’s hope to find long-term healing. The symptoms and triggers of anxiety disorders can be debilitating for many. More than 18 percent of American adults regularly experience anxiety, but less than half seek help through treatment. Whether your anxiety manifests daily, or as a result of circumstances, it’s important to address it head-on. While every patient is unique in their symptoms and triggers, there are practical solutions available to ease this nuisance. The next time your anxiety rears its ugly head, give the following tips a try.
Find an outlet
When experiencing a flare-up of anxiety, having a way to channel the nervous energy can be a beneficial coping skill. Anxiety can often have physical manifestations including nausea, excessive sweating, and irritability. If you find yourself in an anxious state, with an inability to relax, having a method of catharsis can ease symptoms dramatically. Whether you’re artistic or athletic, there are options for you to start on the path to relief.
Finding the right outlet to ease your anxiety can be as easy as finding a new hobby. In moments of heightened distress, pouring the emotions into a productive activity can be cathartic. For several anxiety disorder patients, participating in athletic activity drastically reduces symptoms. Joining a gym, signing up for a recreational sport, or obtaining a golf membership can be the start of releasing your anxiety symptoms healthily. Many patients also find relief from their stressors through guided meditation or yoga classes. Having a scheduled outlet to partake in regularly can be the trick to keeping your anxiety at bay.
Cleanse your body
The connection between mind and body is indisputable. When the body is inflicted by illness, it affects mental health, and vice versa. If your body isn’t in a healthy state, it can lead to depression, anxiety disorders, and a slew of further health risks. Finding holistic remedies to keep your body at its healthiest can have both short and long-term benefits.
When choosing a holistic path for healing, you eliminate the concern for the side effects of traditional medications. Doctors who specialize in holistic medicine can run tests and create treatment plans based on your unique deficiencies or elevations. When the body is at its best, the mind will follow. Feeling physically capable to tackle your everyday schedule can keep anxiety from disrupting your productivity.
Ask for help
The stigma surrounding mental illness keeps many patients from admitting they need help. It’s important to remember that asking for help is a sign of your strength, not weakness. The first step to healing any form of mental illness is realizing that there is a problem that needs to be addressed. Anxiety at any degree is a valid mental struggle and deserves to be treated with compassion. An anxiety therapist will use various methods to identify triggers and create tailored treatment plans. Your unique circumstances are evaluated and a professional counselor will equip you with tools to combat daily stressors.
There are a variety of therapies available from individual talk therapy to group sessions. If the thought of one-on-one communication is overwhelming, signing up for group therapy can be beneficial. In these groups, you’ll learn ways in which to ease your anxiety and apply coping strategies with the guidance of a professional. Being in an environment of understanding with accountability partners can be the tool to continually find healing. No matter the method, deciding to combat what afflicts you in healthy ways is the best possible step to finally kicking anxiety to the curb.