Even people who are very intelligent in other areas of their lives may grow anxious and uncertain when faced with everyday math problems, such as figuring the tip on a restaurant bill. If you suffer from math anxiety, you may dread having to compute numbers, or you may have no confidence in your abilities to do math. You may avoid situations that require you to do math, such as balancing your checkbook. But you can develop ways to cope with your anxiety about math.
Polish Your Skills
Texas State University's Counseling Center recommends people who suffer from math anxiety take a short course to brush up on basic math skills. People with anxiety about math may not have a firm grounding in basic addition, subtraction, division, multiplication and fractions. Working through a number of basic problems in these areas successfully can improve your skills and bolster your confidence.
Don't Compare
Dave Woods, an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Austin Community College in Austin, Texas, cautions students not to compare themselves to others. Math ability isn't based on how quickly you solve a problem, whether or not you use a calculator or other aid, or the method you use to deal with math problems. Woods points out that it's a myth that there's only one right way to do a problem --- you can approach many problems several different ways. Find the way that's right for you. Math is not a competition.
Positive Self Talk
Texas State University describes math anxiety as a learned behavior. Over the years, you've developed certain beliefs about yourself and your ability to do math which may not be true. The TSU Counseling Center advises students to be aware of the thoughts that go through their minds as they face math problems. Phrases such as "I can't do math" or "I'm no good with numbers" can be replaced with positive statements such as "I can do math as well as anyone" or "I can handle numbers."
Bust the Myths
Recognize common myths about math ability and acknowledge that they are false. For instance, one myth is that men are better at math than women, yet the TSU Counseling Center reports there is no difference between the math abilities of men and women. Another common myth is that certain people naturally have a "math mind" while others do not. TSU says most people are better at math than they think and there is no "math mind."
Learn Anxiety Management
Techniques such as deep breathing, visualization and other anxiety management techniques can help you remain calm and clear-headed when faced with a math exam or your annual tax return.
