Healthy Living

A certain amount of anxiety can be a good thing.  It can make us more alert and energized to deal with a stressful situation.   But if anxiety becomes overwhelming, it can take a real toll on our health.  That may be the time to seek professional help.  “Chillax” or chill and relax, is a funny buzzword we hear all the time.  It’s good advice, but easier said than done.  Here are seven ways to “chillax” and ease the anxiety we face every day.

1) Just say no to drugs.   This includes common legal drugs like caffeine, diet pills, decongestants, and the illegal stuff.  Caffeine is a stimulant and can increase anxiety.

2) Ask for help.  Know you are not alone.  Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States. More than 18 percent of U.S. adults are affected.  So don’t be afraid to ask your primary care provider for help.

3) Write it down.  Whatever the stress is, writing it down puts it in perspective.   You can write a pro/con list of ways to cope with the stressor.  It’s a logical and calming technique to help you feel like you are gaining control.

4) Meditate. There are many forms of meditation; deep breathing, Yoga, Qi gong, Tai Chi, guided imagery, or mindful meditation.  Just taking fifteen minutes a day to sit quietly, in a comfortable position, with eyes closed and focusing on breathing can do wonders.

5) Adjust your attitude.  Think positively in each situation.  This can take some practice, especially if you are a self-proclaimed pessimist.  There is an upside to every situation, and sometimes we need to look a little harder to find it.

6) Exercise.  Take a walk, go to the gym, jog up and down the street, go up and down a flight of stairs two or three times.  Take a break and plan a fun activity.

7) Write down 10 things you’ve accomplished in your life, 10 skills and talents that you have, and 10 times when you’ve solved a problem or overcame adversity. This is the advice of Kaitlin Vogel, writing for Rewireme.com in an article called The Fear and Anxiety Solution.   She says if writing ten things in each category seems like too many, you’re probably being far too critical and harsh with yourself. Be as generous and open-minded with yourself as you would be with someone you love and care about.

I find it helps to ask myself, “Will this matter in five years?”   If it won’t make much difference, it’s easier to pause and pare down the anxiety to a manageable level.  Then it’s easier to deal with and come up with solutions.