5 Steps to Stave off Anxiety in Daily Life
Anxiety is something which affects everyone to some extent or the other. Some people deal with their anxiety on their own, without seeking help while others go to a counselor or a therapist to learn ways of dealing with anxiety. The first thing to understand in all these cases is that everyone feels it, so there's no need to feel stigmatized if you go looking for help. People go to medical doctors all the time without feeling that there's something innately wrong with them. So why shouldn't it be the same for anxiety counselling? If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, you can go to a counselor, opt for EMDR or try one of the following techniques:
Yoga: Yoga may be a physical practice, but it also has a calming effect on your mind and helps you to keep your cool when you're dealing with people. A word of caution: yoga is not always as easy and gentle as people would have you believe; there are many difficult yoga postures that beginners should not attempt. If you want to amp up your yoga practice, do it slowly or you might end up feeling fatigued and overworked.
Meditation: If you're unable to concentrate and find yourself ruminating, then some gentle form of meditation can help get you back on track. You can even do it lying down so that you feel physically rested at the same time. If you're not sure exactly what to do, there are many guided meditations on the internet. Start out with ten minutes of meditation twice a day.
Running/Walking: A lot of people feel like running and walking are meditative in nature. They get that feeling of being in "the zone" when they are doing these activities. However, you should be cautious about increasing how much you run and walk too. You may feel like you're in the zone while running/walking, but you might end up feeling overtired afterwards.
Writing: Keeping a journal in which you express your feelings is also a good idea to support an anxious mind. Julia Cameron, author of The Artist's Way, recommends that you write three pages of longhand stream of consciousness first thing every morning. If this suits you, then it's a great way of relieving anxiety. If not, try and write down what's on your mind at some point during the day.
Art: If you have any symptoms of anxiety, then making a piece of art can also be therapeutic. It helps you to express what you're feeling by painting, sculpting, writing etc. Some people like to knit while others go skateboarding. Do whatever floats your boat, as long as it's creative in some way. And don't worry about making a great work of art. Just do whatever feels good.
Just keep in mind that there are many ways to deal with anxiety, and you don't necessarily have to pick one. You can go to a therapist and sign up for an art class. Or you can go for counseling and keep a journal as well. In fact, your therapist/counsellor is likely to recommend other techniques that can help you deal with anxiety as and when it occurs. The idea is to try out a few different things until you find a system that works for you.