5 Grounding Techniques to Manage Anxiety
While we wish we could give you a foolproof guide on how to get rid of anxiety fast, the reality is that anxiety is a health and, just like a cold or arthritis, getting relief usually comes from continually applying treatment instead of a one-and-done fix. The good news? We can show you how to calm anxiety right where you are. If anxiety is a pervasive part of your life, talking with a primary care doctor or therapist can go a long way.
We'll start simple first. If you want to learn how to deal with anxiety, you've come to the right place.
Can you really get rid of anxiety?
You might have come here to learn how to get rid of anxiety fast. However, anxiety isn't an old item you can just toss to the curb. If you live with anxiety, you might be dealing with a diagnosable mental health condition that will likely be a part of your life long-term. It can take many forms -- like social anxiety or a phobia. In any case, learning how to deal with anxiety means figuring out how anxiety affects you personally.
To find out if you're living with generalized anxiety disorder, the most common type of anxiety, Mental Health America has a free online screening tool that you can use.
Whether you want to figure out how to get rid of social anxiety, GAD, panic attacks, phobias or another way that anxiety is impacting your life, it starts with learning your triggers. That means identifying your symptoms and what causes them, so let's start there.
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What are the symptoms of anxiety?
The symptoms of anxiety depend on the type of anxiety affecting you. The five most common types are:
- GAD
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Panic disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
If you want to learn how to get rid of anxiety, it's worth doing some research to find out what type could be affecting you and the symptoms it causes. Talking to a doctor can help, too.
That said, since GAD is the most common form of anxiety and many of its symptoms apply to other anxiety disorders, we look at those here. Before we dive in, you should know that anxiety looks different for everyone. Symptoms vary and it can be challenging to tell if you're living with a diagnosable anxiety disorder or whether you just need new tools for dealing with stress.
Ultimately, knowing what symptoms to look for can help you decide if it's time to talk to your doctor. Anxiety can manifest both physically and mentally so let's look at both.
Physical symptoms of anxiety
:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Stomach aches
- Excessive sweating
- Nausea and digestive problems
- Sleep problems
- Achy or tense muscles
Psychological symptoms of anxiety
:
- A pervasive sense of worry that you can't control
- The consistent feeling that something bad will happen
- Overthinking and imagining the worst outcome
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Decision-making problems
What is a panic attack?
Panic disorder is the kind of anxiety that causes panic attacks, which are marked by the sudden onset of symptoms like:
- A racing heart
- Difficulty breathing
- Sweating
- Dizziness
- Trembling
- Numbness or tingling
- Chills or hot flashes
Panic attacks happen quickly but usually go away within five to 20 minutes.
Keep reading:
How to Stop and Prevent an Anxiety Attack
How to get rid of anxiety in the moment
While we can't promise to show you how to get rid of anxiety for good, we can equip you with grounding techniques. Having these tools at the ready can help you through challenging times, so let's dig in.
Acknowledge you are feeling anxious
Naming something can make it feel less scary. When you're having a panic attack, knowing that it is a panic attack -- and that it will pass -- can go a long way.
Similarly, if you live with GAD, knowing that what you're feeling is part of a health condition, not a reflection of how the world actually is, can help you feel more grounded. Talking to someone about what you're feeling, whether it's a friend or a doctor, can also help to provide anxiety relief.
Practice breathing exercises
Breathing is one of the most powerful calming tools. Between the added oxygen and the stimulation for your parasympathetic nervous system, breathing can work wonders. Plus, breathing techniques are free and you can do them anywhere.
As you learn how to deal with anxiety, it can be helpful to memorize some breathing exercises you can do anytime, anywhere. Slow, diaphragmatic breathing is a great place to start. Putting your hands on your stomach can help you learn this skill, but you don't necessarily need to do that if you're in public.
Read more:
5 Easy Breathing Exercises to Relieve Stress and Relax
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Try the 5-4-3-2-1 method while anxious
Grounding yourself makes a big difference when you're feeling anxious. To do that, you can use the 5-4-3-2-1 method:
- Look around and spot five individual things.
- Touch four things near you.
- Acknowledge three things you can hear.
- Identify two smells.
- Check in with your mouth for one thing you can taste.
By tapping into your senses, you're bringing yourself back to the present moment and anchoring yourself there. Don't be afraid to walk around to get all 5-4-3-2-1 things named. Take your time and use this as a way to help yourself relax.
Distract yourself
It's easier said than done, but distraction can be a useful tool. Try to reposition your mind from a place of worry to focusing on something you enjoy. Go for a walk somewhere nice, listen to music you love, show your pet some love, get yourself a beverage to enjoy, chat with a coworker -- whatever works to distract your mind.
Journal through situations
Studies show that journaling can help as you're learning how to calm anxiety. You could freewrite, jotting down whatever comes to your mind. Getting it out of your head and down the page can help with letting things go. Or you might try to journal about what you're grateful for since that can shift your mind to more positive thoughts.
More tips to help
If you're still hunting for how to deal with anxiety when it affects you, we have some more calming life hacks you can try out.
When do I need treatment for my anxiety?
Even though there's no immediate fix to get rid of anxiety once and for all, you can learn how to help anxiety when it impacts you. The tools we just laid out can build the arsenal you can turn to whenever you need anxiety relief.
Be mindful of how often you turn to that toolbox. Most of us deal with anxious feelings from time to time. If you're leaning on these tools to get you through the day on a regular basis, you may benefit from professional help.
Signs treatment may help your anxiety:
- Your anxiety is a daily obstacle
- You've stopped doing things you used to enjoy because you feel anxious
- You worry through most of every day
- You continually feel physically unwell
- You always assume the worst outcome
- You experience panic attacks
Getting relief could mean talk therapy, medication or something else. But if all of this sounded familiar, know that help is waiting. Talk to your primary care provider or find a therapist in your area or online. Mental health experts are your best bet if you want to figure out how to treat anxiety that continually affects you.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
Readmore : How to Handle Anxiety Attacks
Source: www.cnet.com
