Everyone experiences anxiety in some form once in awhile. However, when your anxiety or phobia limits you from experiencing life, it’s time to take action. My RSD has really increased my anxiety. I can barely handle going in to a store and I limit my driving due to the anxiety as well. Drugs or medications are often prescribed for anxiety, but my goal has been to take the minimum amount of medications. There are other ways that you can try to manage anxiety or phobias before turning to another pill medication. So here is to hopeful success without another drug in my massive pill box.
10 Ways to Manage Anxiety Naturally
1) Yoga.
Yoga
2) Meditation.
The only time I have practiced is during prayer. Meditation helps you look inward for answers and strength. It also teaches focus and controlled breathing.
3) Exercise.
This is one thing that I already do and I have noticed it helps. There are a lot of people at roller derby practice, yet I am normally super relaxed up there…normally. This happens because exercise boosts endorphins which are pretty much the feel good hormones. These hormones make you feel as if you can accomplish anything…anything you have the heart and desire to try! So find something you love. If the gym stresses you out, well skip the gym and take a walk, ride a bike…just get moving!
4) Fresh air.
Air is free! Yes, no charge to breath quite yet! Sunshine is free too! Getting out of the house or office and going outdoors can do wonders for your mind, heart and soul! Also, sunshine helps your body produce vitamin D. Vitamin D has been shown to help manage depression.
5) Cut back on stimulants including sugar and caffeine.
This may work for some, but not me. Caffeine is helpful for reducing the inflammation in my body caused by RSD. I will not give up my coffee…I love it too much. But for some, stimulants can actually worsen anxiety and fear.
6) No alcohol or drugs.
If you drink more than the typical glass of wine or social drink, alcohol (and drugs, duh!) can interfere with your body’s chemistry. They can also mess up your hormones and alter your brain chemistry which will ppretty much definitely change your mood and personality.
7) Positive affirmations.
Affirmations are positive statements. They can help you refocus. Try to find the positive spin on a stressful situation.
8) Visualizations.
When you’re in a stressful situation consider using a visualization to help you relax. What do you find relaxing? Laying in the grass? The beach with the ocean waves crashing?
9) Friends.
I have a derby wife that helps keep me grounded. She tells me to “shut my face” often. She makes me laugh and laughter is amazing medicine. You don’t need a lot of friends…in my experience, a lot of friends can add a lot of stress. Keep the good ones, you know…the positive ones that keep you on track. Then ditch all the ones that suck the life out of you.
10) Get help.
If none of these methods work, then think about getting professional help from a skilled therapist. I get my therapy from my massage therapist. She not only eases my pain with massage, but she helps heal my soul with the words she says. She is amazing!
What are some ways that you help control anxiety?
You can control your thoughts and live a less fearful life.
Girl on Fire
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I think surrounding yourself with positive influences in your life can totally help with anxiety.
These are great tips. I think taking steps to keep a lot of calmness and peace in your life along with surrounding yourself with positive and supportive people does wonders!
I am a strong believer in Yoga, my favorite is Bikram Yoga, it truly keeps me centered. Great list by the way.
All of these are wonderful suggestions. I also use essential oils to help calm my nerves.
Until recently, I haven’t suffered from anxiety. I like the idea of positive affirmations!
Very good ideas. I always just like to think of happy thoughts when I’m stressed.
What Great list! Summer is great but sometimes it gets overwhelming for me. I’m going to keep this list nearby!
Exercise is one of my most favorite ways to relieve anxiety. When I get stressed all I need to do is go for a run!
I’ve dealt with anxiety on and off for my whole life and many of my coping mechanisms are on this list! Fresh air has been a great help to me lately.
My son gets anxious and he can usually control it if he focuses on relaxing. He hates dealing with it though.
i know i need time to myself to deal with stressful situations
Thank you for this great list. My husband has anxiety and he is often so stressed about having an attack that we never do anything but sit in the house.
I always love visualization techniques and deep breathing. I actually went to speech therapy to “learn how to breathe” during stressful situations. It changed everything for me!