10 Ways to cope with anxiety

Not everyone experiences anxiety the same. For some it's about feeling uncomfortable and worried without knowing why, for others it can keep them up at night, and affect their life in general.

In flesh, it's basically a physical response your body has to tell you that something is wrong and its attempt to protect you. Spiritually, it can be the Lord warning you against danger or the devil using fear to keep you from fulfilling your purpose in life. It is VERY important to know the difference

Panic attacks are intense episodes of fear which are so powerful that they trick you into fearing that you are dying, going crazy, about to faint or losing control of yourself in some vital way. They can come suddenly and last about 20-30 minutes

Signs of stress & anxiety or panic attacks include:

Noisy mind- overthinking and not being able to focus or calm your mind.

Inability to stop worrying.

Lack of energy or feeling exhausted.

Breathlessness, especially at night.

Heart palpitations.

The signs are usually considered to be harmless, but trust me, physically they are real and quite concerning. As someone who had my share of anxiety, I can tell you that there are ways to cope. I can also tell you that these physical 'symptoms' can very much derive from a spiritual problem. Even though everything is not always that deep and as much as we are human and experience things in our physical bodies, don't disregard the fact that there may be something far deeper than that happening.

Ways to deal with anxiety

1. Identify triggers

Determine what triggered the anxiety (what was different) and address the problem. Once again, consider that it may be the devil trying to keep you from something great. For me, it was the latter. Each time I got in line with fulfilling my purpose, I would get 'sick' and stop what I was busy with. That was until I realized what was happening and decided to push through.

James 4:7 'Resist the devil and he will flee from you '

2. Change your thinking

Some people tend to expect the worst to happen and prepare for it to such an extend that they believe their worry is based on reality.

Ask yourself if this is really the only outcome to expect and how great the chances are of this actually happening. Be mindful of your negative thoughts and reactions and don't fight battles in your head before you are faced with a situation. We can get upset before the time at a possible reaction or response that someone may or may not have. The saying "cross that bridge when I get there" can be helpful. Yes, be aware that there could be a negative result to something and be equipped to deal with it, should that happen. HOWEVER, also be aware that it can turn out great or at least not that bad, then you stressed for nothing. Consider other alternatives and possible solutions to the situation that caused the anxiety.

3. Let go of control

We can’t control everything, and we can’t predict outcomes. Learn to let go of situations that are beyond your control, but always do your best to resolve matters that you still have control over.

4. Practice optimism and positive self-talk

Consider all the good things that can come from those situations that cause you stress.

Consider how small this event is compared to your life as a whole and all other great experiences.

5. Let it out.

Breathe in, breathe out, and breathe deep. 4 Seconds inhale, 4 seconds hold, 6 seconds exhale…it really does help.

Relax your muscles – make yourself comfortable and release any tension in your body.

Talk about it to someone. If you are not comfortable yet about talking to someone, write your heart out and burn the page or put it in a helium balloon and watch it go off.

I was once hospitalized with anxiety despite the fact that I am actually a calm person and do not panic very easily. I realized in that hospital bed though, that suppressing anger and concerns/worry, can be a bad thing. It’s as if your body absorbs everything that you don’t let out. So, the most important thing since then for me was to let it out. Best practice for me is writing and praying with the latter being the most powerful.

6. Take care of yourself

This is another important action because it affects so much of our life, we think that neglecting ourselves so that we can be available to take care of our loved ones is being selfless. But in fact, the most selfless thing we can do is to take care of ourselves and thus be in better shape to help others. Don’t underestimate the importance of filling your well.

You will be surprised with how much your health and wellness affect your ability to manage stress and anxiety.

Take exceptional care of your gut, because gut health plays a vital role in treating anxiety over the long term.

7. Watch what you consume

Eating- Avoid comfort foods as they may contain too much sugar or caffeine. Instead, snack on something healthy. This can be difficult at first, but if you do this regularly, it can become second nature.

Drinking- Drink plenty of water and choose healthy drinks as much as you can.

Brain food- Yes, we also feed our brains with the things we watch, read and listen to. Be careful of what you feed your brain with as this converts to energy that fuels your thinking. We are what we consume, not just what we eat.

One of the greatest mistakes most people make is watching other people's online posts and comparing themselves. Keep in mind that we only see on social media what others want us to see so don't let these type of things interfere with your health and wellness.

8. Meditate

Just a few minutes of mediation goes a long way. It helps you cope with anxious feelings and improves mental focus to help manage your thoughts. You can also use visualizations and music, anything that can improve your mood. Imagine a place you like or that brings comfort to you. Think of the last time you were there. What did you see? What sounds did you hear? Did you eat or drink something you liked? How was the weather and what other textures did you feel? Wat did you smell? Which part of it all was your favorite? Furthermore, meditate on the Word; there is nothing better for your spirit than reading the Bible and being in proper conversation with God.

9. Set boundaries and learn to say no

There is nothing wrong with being able to draw the line and not crossing it or allowing others to cross it. Remember that and thank me later!

10. Educate yourself

There are a lot of misconceptions about Anxiety. Educate yourself around the matter and learn the best ways on how to treat it. It may help to speak to someone who came through it already.

You can also read my blogs on 8 Simple ways to be happier at home , 10 Things I wish I knew before 30 , Ways to know if you are self-sabotaging

You can check out Lucy_Laurenn on instagram. Now a business coach, she used to share her journey and tips on how to improve from a state of anxiety. There was so much that I could relate to so I am sure that even if you can't relate to everything 100% you will find something helpful.

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