Anxiety is more common than you think. In fact, it is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders that Americans deal with. Along with an anxiety disorder comes symptoms like difficulty concentrating, overwhelming feelings of dread and worry, increased irritability, weakness, panic attacks, and more.
However, it is important to note that anxiety can be treated and managed in a variety of different ways. The most common way to manage anxiety is through therapy. Many people also find taking medication, tracking anxiety triggers, knowing the symptoms, journaling, and breathing exercises, are great ways to help manage stress.
With a better handle on anxiety, many people find that they experience certain key benefits. Here are 4 benefits of learning how to manage your anxiety effectively:
1. Identify Your Anxiety Triggers
By learning to manage anxiety, you can get a better idea of the main causes of your anxiety. These causes are known as triggers and range from anything like public speaking to having too much caffeine. Once you are able to find the triggers to your unease, you can learn to cope with them and also reduce your exposure to those triggers. You can keep track of your triggers in a journal and use journaling to jot down your feelings and let off steam. Check out the ‘Wreck This Journal’ by Keri Smith for some inspiration.
2. An Increased Sense of Confidence
The biggest disadvantage of apprehension is the decreased sense of confidence and the fear and worry that comes with speaking to people, going out of your comfort zone, and living a full and happy life. Once you get your anxiety under control, you can experience an increased sense of confidence, which makes day-to-day life easier and more fulfilling.
3. Less Fear in Approaching Everyday Life
With less anxiety and more confidence, you may also find that approaching everyday life is easier and not so frightening anymore. You might have an easier time putting yourself out there, leaving your comfort zone, and interacting with others. All of this can add a lot of value to your life. Additionally, it’s essential to Stay Healthy During Stressful Times, ensuring you maintain physical and mental well-being amidst challenges.
4. Finding Practical Ways to Overcome Challenges
And finally, by learning to manage your anxiety, you will also likely learn what coping mechanisms work well for you. These coping mechanisms or coping skills are a great way to overcome different challenges. With practice, coping skills can start to feel like second nature and help you move through life and overcome whatever challenges you face. Many people find that exercise and meditation are great ways to think through their problems and overcome apprehension. If you are interested in exercise and meditation, check out the book ‘Guided Meditation for Beginners’ by Asana Swami and Richard Reikivic.
So, if you want to have all of these key benefits in your own life, now is as good a time to make a conscious effort to treat and manage your anxiety. With a better handle on your apprehensions, you can live a more confident and fulfilling life!