1. Shout it out
Talking to a trusted friend is one way to cope with anxiety. But thereâs something even better than talking: screaming at the top of your lungs. As a kid, you were probably taught not to shout and told to use your âinside voice.â But as an adult, you can make your own rules. So if youâre dealing with pent-up frustrations and anxiety, let it out.
2. Get moving
Exercise is probably the last thing you want to do when your mindâs in overdrive. You may worry about post-workout soreness and being unable to walk or sit for the next two days. Or your mind might go to the worst-case scenario and you fear overexerting yourself and having a heart attack. But in reality, exercise is one of the best natural ant anxiety solutions.
3. Give yourself a bedtime
With your busy schedule, thereâs no time for sleep, right? Some workaholics brag about only needing three or four hours of sleep a night, as if to say, âIâm more determined and committed than everyone else.â But no matter what you might tell yourself, youâre not a robot. Humans need sleep to function properly, so unless you beamed in from some nearby planet, this also applies to you.
Whether you deal with insomnia, purposely limit your amount of sleep, or youâre a self-professed night owl, chronic sleep deprivation makes you susceptible to anxiety. Do yourself (and everyone around you) a favor and get eight to nine hours of sleep every night. Develop a bedtime routine to read a book or do something relaxing before bed. The better prepared you are to get a good nightâs sleep, the better quality of sleep youâll have, which leads to a better morning as well.
4. Feel OK saying no
Your plate is only so big, and if you overwhelm yourself with everyone elseâs personal problems, your anxiety will also worsen. Weâve all heard the adage, âThereâs more happiness in giving than receiving.â But nowhere in this sentence does it say you should sit back and let others infringe on your time.
5.Donât skip meals
If anxiety causes nausea, the thought of eating food is as appealing as eating dirt. But skipping meals can make anxiety worse. Your blood
sugar drops when you donât eat, which causes the release of a stress hormone called cortisol. Cortisol can help you perform better under pressure, but it can also make you feel worse if youâre already prone to anxiety.
6. Give yourself an exit strategy
Sometimes, anxiety is due to feeling out of control. You can't always be in the driver seat of your life, but you can take steps to identify your triggers and cope with circumstances that cause anxiety.
7. Live in the moment
Other than the words on this page, what are you thinking about right now? Are you worried about a meeting you have next week? Are you stressed about meeting your financial goals? Or maybe youâre obsessing over whether youâll be a good parent â although you have zero kids and have no plans to conceive in the near future.
Takeaway
Anxiety is a beast, but it is possible to win the battle without medication. Sometimes, overcoming worry and nervousness is simply a matter of modifying your behavior, thoughts, and lifestyle. You can start with a drug-free approach, and then speak with a doctor if your symptoms donât improve or worsen. These drug-free, anti-anxiety tactics can even help you complement your medication regimen. Do what works for you, and know that anxiety does not control your life.
Next Steps
consult Psychiatrist/ Psychologist