Feeling anxious? Here’s how to cope
July 23, 2024
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is an emotion that makes you feel worried, tense, or fearful about things you think may happen. It’s how our bodies sometimes respond to stress. Constant anxiety can take a major toll on your well-being and make it harder to get through the day. When untreated, it can lead to other health issues, such as depression or insomnia.
Although we can’t prevent stressful things from happening, there are many steps we can take to manage anxiety and improve our lives.
What are symptoms of anxiety?
Common signs of anxiety include:
- Feeling restless, on edge, or wound up
- Having a hard time concentrating
- Feeling easily tired
- Having trouble going to sleep or staying asleep
- Being irritable
According to the Mayo Clinic, physical symptoms can include chest pain; diarrhea, stool pattern changes, or upset stomach; headache; increased heart rate; muscle aches; shaking; shortness of breath; and sweating.
What are some ways to manage anxiety?
If you’re experiencing anxiety, your primary care doctor can help you come up with a treatment plan. This might include therapy, medication, or lifestyle changes.
Self-care also can play a big role in taking control of anxiety. These tips can help you manage your symptoms and improve your overall well-being:
- Eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
- Exercise regularly.
- Make sure you’re getting enough sleep.
- Limit or eliminate alcohol and caffeine.
- Learn what triggers your anxiety.
- Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, journaling, or mindfulness.
How to find support
Know that you are never alone in living with or caring for someone with anxiety. Anxiety is a common mental health condition that affects many people worldwide. If anxiety becomes an obstacle in any aspect of everyday living, start with your primary care doctor. You can also seek support from a therapist, medical professional, family member, friend, community support person, crisis line resource, or a crisis center.
Several mental health resources and organizations are available to offer you support for mental health when you need it, including:
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) – it’s free and confidential.
- PsychHub
Your health plan can also help connect you to mental health resources or professionals in your community or via telehealth. You can also obtain referrals through Employee Assistance Program (EAP) support if offered through your employer.