The Marriage Counseling Blog

One of the biggest joy stealers in the lives of many people is anxiety. This dreadful illness can capture a person’s spirit and hold it in bondage for years. But you can combat it with the proper help. If you are feeling high levels of anxiety and aren’t quite sure what to do about it, try some of these tips for coping with anxiety.

1. Be accepting. Change what you can and accept the rest. Some things are beyond your control. Don’t allow yourself to fret over things you can’t change.
2. Laugh. Laughter is a great healer. Take in a funny movie, tell jokes, visit a comedy club. Do something that makes you laugh.
3. Relax. There are many ways to relax. If necessary, take up yoga or meditation. At least perform breathing exercises on a regular basis. You’d be surprised how a simple ten minute breathing session and make you feel less anxious.
4. Let yourself go. Allow yourself to make mistakes. Don’t let fear of failure paralyze you.
5. Say “No.” Many people never say no to their friends and family. You can’t do everything. Sometimes the best healer of anxiety is just to say “No.”
6. Have fun. Go somewhere and play. Take a friend, a pet, or someone you trust and go away for the weekend.
7. Exercise. Exercising releases endorphins in your body that produce pleasure and reduce anxiety.
8. Dress less coffee. Caffeine is a stimulant that works on the nervous system. Drink less caffeine.
9. Talk to someone. Sometimes just talking about your problems will help you relieve the stress. Find a friend, spouse, other family member or an anxiety counselor to help you deal with your feelings of anxiety. Just talk about it with an empathetic listener.
10. Face your problems head on. Sometimes the best way to deal with anxiety is to simply look your problems square in the eye and confront them. Be bold. Be brave. And face your fears.
11. Mourn. If your anxiety is as a result of a lost loved one, give yourself permission to mourn. Get it out. It’s the best thing that you can do.

Anxiety is difficult, even for the family members of the one experiencing anxiety. It’s not all about you. Find something to help take the pressure off and enjoy yourself for a while.

Related Posts

• Identifying Coping Thoughts
• Coping with a Spouse with a Mood Disorder
• Marriage and Anxiety pt 2 – How Anxiety Begins
• De-Paralyzing Anxiety
• How To Control Your Anxiety