Anxiety and Stress | Tips To Deal With Them

As humans, we often feel overwhelmed. Whether that be due to an endless to-do list to get through the week or the longest list of events we had our hearts set on attending, we attempt to take on the impossible. 

I used to be the person who was anxious from the second I woke up to the minute I fell asleep at night. There was always something I had anxiety about. I often wondered how other people dealt with their anxiety and how they continued to move forward in a healthy way. Over the years I have found techniques that really helped me and I will share them below.

ACCEPT

When stress levels are at an all-time high, it is vital to educate yourself on the physical and psychological of anxiety. It's a good idea to try and adopt the “this too shall pass” mentality. There’s no denying how uncomfortable and unbearable our body’s reaction to stress can be. We can, nevertheless, treat that feeling of anxiety by first accepting that it is there and then by recognising it as a sign for us to slow down and relax.

BREATHE

When we are anxious, our heart rates rise. In fact, it can sometimes feel like your heart may leap out of your chest. The most effective ways to lower your anxiety quickly is to lower your heart rate. You can do this by:

• Finding a comfortable sitting position
• Placing one hand on your belly and the other over your chest
• Taking a deep breath through your nose without moving your chest 

EXERCISE

Preferably, everyone should be getting around 30 minutes of exercise 5 times a week. Exercise has been found to helps reduce anxiety levels and I have to say it helps me a lot. Physical activity releases endorphins– which are chemicals in our brain that act as natural painkillers. Endorphins help lessen the signs caused by stress and nervousness.

SLEEP

Sleep patterns can usually be disturbed when we become overwhelmed. A symptom of this could be that you sleeping more or are sleeping less. On average humans should be sleeping approximately six to eight hours a night to function efficiently the next day. Ways you can improve the amount and quality of your sleep is by:

• Reducing caffeine intake after 6 pm can help you sleep better
• Running a warm bath to relax before sleeping
• Removing screen time while in bed – I personally find this hard!

PREPARE

When stressed, we are automatically drawn to not engage with tasks and put them in limbo. Instead of doing this, it is important to continue tackling whatever it is that you need to do by doing it a little by little on a daily/regular basis. Whether it an approaching meeting or an exam, being prepared for the events can help lower your anxiety levels drastically. On that note, it is also just as important to take time for yourself but you need to find a healthy balance between the two. 

It is important to know that you can only tackle so much when you’re not aware of your own personal needs.

Please note: if you or someone you know is suffering from anxiety, please seek or tell them seek advice from a doctor. 

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