5 Ways to Control Your Anxiety

Anxiety is a response to stress and it can be brief or it can linger. It is often linked to depression, but in many cases, depression does not define anxiety and vice versa.

Anxiety has many manifestations, such as excessive worrying, sleep troubles, restlessness, trembling hands, and muscle tension.

There are a number of ways you can cope with anxiety:

• Accept that you have a problem. The first step towards recovery is acknowledging that you have a problem. By accepting this fact you are better able to face your anxiety and find help for yourself.
• Talk about your feelings. Talking about your feelings will help you stay in control and keep problems from getting bigger. Talk to anyone you trust who can help you through the situation.
• Have an optimistic outlook on things in life. Do what makes you feel good; spend time with people who make you happy and take care of yourself.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle. The first step towards dealing with anxiety is by taking care of yourself. Ensure that you get enough sleep every night and eat healthy foods. Including green leafy vegetables, milk and dairy products in your diet will provide you with calcium, which may help reduce anxiety symptoms. You should also try to exercise regularly as this helps to release endorphins which are known to improve mood and decrease stress levels. If nothing else works for you, just take a brisk walk every day for 30 minutes or more to feel better about yourself.

• Skip the booze. It’s a common misconception that alcohol will help tame an anxious mood because it’s sedating. But while it may seem to work in the short term by helping you relax, alcohol is actually a central nervous system depressant that may worsen anxiety in the long run by disrupting sleep and making symptoms more severe.