4 Easy Ways To Combat Anxiety

Today, anxiety is one of the most common problems in the world and many people often suffer from it.

Some experience it in more advanced stages than others due to the rhythm of life to which they are subjected. Likewise, the lack of adequate management and coping strategies tends to intensify these states.

Despite being a psychological condition, it should be noted that  not all individuals are diagnosed.

Furthermore, research such as that carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that almost 50% of people with a psychological disorder do not access treatment.

It is a fact without a doubt that should lead us to deep reflection.

What is anxiety?

Faced with this condition of global characteristics, many ask themselves this question. Let us therefore see which basic axes usually define this condition:

• To begin with, anxiety is a normal response of the body to a worrying threat or stimulus.
• This emotion allows us to better react to challenges. Now, the problem comes when this state becomes chronic and our mind experiences such anguish permanently towards something that it cannot define.
• The person suffering from anxiety may also experience psychosomatic symptoms (muscle pain, headaches, digestive problems …)
• Research such as that carried out by a team of researchers from the Servier Research Institute also reveals the great impact that anxiety has at a neurobiological level (cortisol appears, the hippocampus is reduced and we suffer memory failures …)
•  In most cases this restlessness cannot be controlled, something that further intensifies the suffering.

Ways to combat anxiety that are within your reach

Despite being a complex problem for humans, learning to control some symptoms is feasible. If our anxiety is specific, we know the origin and we feel motivated to establish changes, we can face this situation ourselves.

If not, expert help is essential. So let’s see what strategies we could follow to manage specific anxiety.

1. Accept anxiety

Like any other type of problem in life, the first step to solve it is to accept its existence, its causes and all the effects it can cause on yourself. When it comes to anxiety, the more you refuse, the more damage you can do.

Thus, when faced with an episode of it, it is best to know that it is there and not to categorize it as something bad, since this can generate more concern than there is.

2. Detect unreal thoughts

The first step has already been taken, accepting anxiety in life contributes greatly to controlling it.

The idea now is to be aware that this causes endless harmful thoughts in the mind.

Most of these are usually related to unreal and illogical episodes. That is why  the need arises to identify them and separate them from meaningful concerns.

To achieve this, simply ask yourself a series of basic, straightforward and simple questions. Although the help of other people can help, it is recommended to perform this exercise alone and mentally.

3. Mitigate concerns

Something is clear in life. The more time progresses, the more duties, obligations and responsibilities increase. All this, without a doubt, negatively affects thinking. What’s more, anyone can be anxious about the accumulation of activities.

However, and taking into account that the anxiety that is latent in the head, it is necessary to carefully analyze which duties, responsibilities and obligations are most important.

Once this recognition is made, consider leaving those activities that do not contribute at all and that, in the long run, only increase anxiety.

4. Give yourself time

The person with anxiety does not always lead a hectic life. Not all profiles with this problem have demanding jobs and multiple obligations.

The unemployed person can also suffer from anxiety. Children experience it too. The problem is undoubtedly in that “busy” mind, saturated and always agitated.

It is therefore necessary to give our brain new stimuli, motivators, spaces to focus attention. And one way to do that is by giving us quality time.

Let’s change habits, start new practices, new challenges. Let’s make our time worth joy and not worry.

There are simpler alternatives than others, however, all can contribute their bit.

Encourage yourself to:

• Watch a movie.
• Practice relaxation or breathing techniques at home.
• Practice yoga or Pilates.
• Participate in a dance group for beginners.

In summary, these tips could help you when it comes to very specific episodes of anxiety. Thus, and in case we do not experience improvement, let us remember the convenience of consulting with psychology professionals. There are highly effective therapies for treating anxiety.