Stop Anxiety in its Tracks

Racing heart, sweaty palms, shortness of breath. They are all things people with anxiety disorders know too well. Sometimes we can feel it coming on, sometimes it strikes out of nowhere! But we have some tips to help keep it at bay…

  1. Control your breathing! One of the first things we do when we panic/get anxious is change our breathing pattern; it normally speeds up sometimes to the point it makes us feel light headed. Stay in control of your breathing by breathing in gently through your nose for 5 seconds, hold it for 3, and then slowly out through pursed lips for 8 seconds. Repeat the exercise until you feel your heart rate slow and you feel relaxed.2. Try exercising! It can burn away those stress hormones that cause anxiety, release endorphins, tire out muscles which can be come tense, and is a healthy distraction from what it worrying you.

    3. Talk to someone you trust! A problem shared is a problem halved as they say! Reassurance really does help put our minds at ease and can distract you from your worries.

    4. Stop your negative thinking! easier said than done, sometimes. But simply distracting your thoughts from the negative stuff will help you to relax. Think about things that make you laugh or happy.

    5. Assess the situation. Understanding why you are worrying will help you to understand your feelings and then tackle them. If you know what the problem is, you can fix it.