If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, you're not alone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 40 million American adults ages 18 and older are affected by anxiety disorders each year. Anxiety is a stress response everyone experiences from time to time, and is a normal reaction to situations viewed as potentially threatening or dangerous. Anxiety becomes problematic when it interferes with normal functioning, or when one is experiencing anxiety without any perceivable stimulus. Luckily, there are self-help strategies that can help anxiety sufferers.
Join a Support Group
People who suffer from anxiety disorders often get some relief by joining a support group. Support groups can provide a safe forum for sharing experiences and obtaining advice from others who experience similar symptoms. The National Institute of Mental Health suggests that many people with anxiety can benefit from sharing their problems with others in the form of either an in-person or online support group. The Anxiety Disorders Association of American also has a listing for a telephone support group on their website.
Educate Yourself
Learning the facts about anxiety and anxiety disorders can help you to understand what is going on in your body when you start to feel anxiety or panic. Anxiety is a normal response that our bodies have when confronted by a perceived threat or danger. Anxiety is abnormal when we feel that our lives are threatened when there is no real danger. Educating yourself is a key step in self-help strategies for dealing with anxiety and its often debilitating symptoms. Read literature published by respected sources, such as the National Institute of Mental Health.
Develop a Relaxation Program
Develop a daily meditation practice or find another form of relaxation, such as using guided meditation CDs. Meditation can not only create feelings of peace, it can also help you to deal with stressful situations. A daily meditation practice helps to quiet the mental chatter and can neutralize the "fight or flight" stress response that people with anxiety problems commonly experience. The National Institute of Mental Health states that meditation is beneficial to those experiencing anxiety disorders and can produce calming effects.
Get Regular Exercise
Exercise regularly. The Mayo Clinic discusses the link between getting regular exercise and reduction in levels of anxiety and depression in its article "Depression and Anxiety: Exercise eases symptoms." A reduction in stress levels, an increase in neurotransmitters that may help to combat anxiety, increased self-confidence and better physical health are just some of the benefits of developing a regular exercise routine. Exercise can also get your mind off of the things that are causing you anxiety and can temporarily give you something different to focus on.
