The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) explains that anxiety is a natural response to certain situations. It is the body's way of preparing you to face a difficult or challenging situation. Sometimes it happens frequently when you are going through a stressful time in your life. It can worsen until it becomes a disorder if you don't find ways to handle it. These may include avoiding anxiety or taking relaxation opportunities to give you a break from the stress.
Take Control
Anxiety often results from feeling a loss of control. You can avoid it by finding ways to empower yourself when something is bothering you. Pause as soon as you start to feel anxiety symptoms and ask yourself, "What is bothering me? Is there anything I can do about it?" If so, decide what steps you will take and channel your energy there rather than letting it be wasted by fearful or anxious feelings. If not, remind yourself that anxiety will not change that fact. Decide how you will cope with the unchangeable situation to minimize its negative effects.
Make Time for Yourself
Once of the hardest parts of relaxation is making time for it in your life. Regular relaxation will help you avoid anxiety, but you must schedule it and give it the same priority as any other important appointment. Create a list of relaxing activities, like reading, listening to music or taking a bubble bath. Schedule regular time, such as 30 minutes to an hour each day, and choose an activity from your list to indulge in during that time.
Draw Boundaries
You have difficulty saying "no." Many people do. You experience anxiety when you get into a situation where you feel trapped into saying "yes" to something that you don't have time to do. You can avoid anxiety by drawing boundaries that protect you from giving in to others at inappropriate times. Say "no" and stick to it. You do not have to justify your refusal to the other person. You may feel anxious at the time, but it will disappear once the situation is over and you have not committed yourself to something you did not really want to do.
Ask for Help
Anxiety can be triggered by a busy life that gets to the point of overwhelming you. Many people have a support system of family members and friends but are reluctant to ask for help. You will avoid a great deal of anxiety and give yourself more relaxation time, if you simply ask for assistance when you need some relief. For example, ask your husband or other family members to watch the kids for an evening so you can catch up on other things. Have your husband make dinner one night a week so you can work out at the gym.
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