7 Ways to Overcome Anxiety

At one point or other, fear of the unknown has always haunted human beings. Feeling nervous before a business meeting, sweating before a stage performance or panicking about the flight that your son has boarded. We all have been there at some stage.

Anxiety is a self-inflicted and self-destroying emotion which cannot be completely eliminated but surely can be handled in a better way. I have listed down 7 ways that have helped me overcome anxiety at some point in my life.

1. It’s not the reality

Remember when you used to be a kid and everything was so easy and beautiful. When nights were the time we dreaded because we had to sleep which meant no more playing and running around. As grown-ups nights help us escape the realities of our being. It gives us those precious 5 to 6 hours when the mind is without fear. Have you ever thought why is it that we are so peaceful when we are sleeping? That is because when we are awake the mind is constantly telling you hundreds of possibilities which might never come true. Anxiety is a result of over thinking and over analyzing. Feeling anxious is a pattern, which we need to break and think positively.

2. Why is this important to you

How many times have you said this to yourself before going into a meeting to make a deal with your client “what if they reject my proposal”, “what if they laugh at my ideas”. But what you need to remember is why this business deal is important to you. You need to pacify yourself by the idea of what happens if you succeed, what will that mean for your future. Failure is inevitable. But don’t let the fear of failure limit your possibilities.

3. Share with the people who care

This may sound too simple, but trust me it has helped multiple times. Sharing your worries with the people you love helps to reduce the stress. You will realize that every person goes through these emotions and it’s natural. Your parents or friends may be able to guide you through this phase of life. Since you connect with them chances are high that you would resonate with their idea of “chilling” when feeling overwhelmed. There is nothing that a sleepover at your best friends place can’t solve. You will soon realize the things you were worried about yesterday don’t even bother you in the present.

4. Get to the root of the problem

Many times the cause of your anxiety may be an aspect of your life where you are unhappy and that might be affecting your mood throughout the day. For example: if you are in an unhappy relationship this may be causing unnecessary stress in your professional life too. You are not able to think straight because your mind is not at peace. Or you have a mean boss who shouts at you in office and disrespects you in front of others, the mere thought of facing him again might make you uncomfortable and nervous all the time. So you need to take a moment and understand if your anxiety is due to a deep-rooted problem, solving that problem may help your situation.

5. Understand the pattern that fuels anxiety

Certain activities may stimulate anxiety, you should try to uncover that pattern. It can be different for different people. Being in a closed room for long intervals may make some people restless. Few people smoke and drink to reduce anxiety but studies show that in the long run tobacco and alcohol help in stimulating anxiety. If the catalyst to your anxiety is something that you can control then try to help yourself by getting out of those situations or habits. Be mindful of your action.

6. Exercise and Healthy Eating

Enough stress cannot be given to the fact that how exercise can affect our mind and body. A simple 10 minutes walk in nature helps elevate your mood. Exercise helps in better sleep which in turn reduces stress. Also, unhealthy eating habits can cause anxiety. So you should probably avoid fried food, alcohol too much sugar in your diet.

7. Therapy and Medication

You can also reach out to a therapist if none of the above options help you. Visit a medical professional, they can help you understand if there is an underlying reason for your anxiety. They can also teach you ways to be more relaxed in difficult situations. Medication should be kept as the last resort, as it may have several other side effects.

I hope you found the answers you were looking for. I would love to know your thoughts about this article so please drop a comment below. Thank You!