In an ever-changing and evolving world, anxiety is on the rise. The unpredictability of world economics, global wars and the continually growing concern over climate change have left many wondering what the future could look like. It is reasoning like this that makes it easier to understand anxiety and why mental health issues continue to rise.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2022, Anxiety was the most common group of 12-month mental disorders, making up for 16.8% or 3.3 million people. Mental health experts define anxiety as worry over a threat that’s yet to occur. For example, thinking about a conversation you need to have with your partner could twist your stomach into knots days before it happens. Your heart may race before an exam or you might feel like your breath is being taken away right before a big presentation. These are all signs of anxiety. A feeling everyone has felt at one stage or another
Whilst not a traditional method to getting over the feeling of anxiety, one of the most effective ways to ease and understand occasional anxiety is to accept it. Rosmarin, founder of the Center for Anxiety in New York City, states “When we let anxiety run its course in the moment without fighting it, ironically, that makes it less. On the other hand, fighting anxiety is what typically triggers a panic attack.”
Now let’s run through some alternative ways to limit anxiety.
1) Create a morning routine – Having a set morning routine will allow you to start your day with consistency. Whether that means getting up and going for a walk or heading to the gym, grabbing a coffee or reading a book, a consistent wake-up time and morning routine will allow you to minimise the feeling of “the morning rush”.
2) Accept anxiety as a normal feeling to have during certain times – Don’t be hard on yourself for having thoughts resulting from anxiety. They are normal, healthy responses by the body to circumstances, which are complicated, stressful, or difficult.
3) Control your energy – Our mind works in a particular way, where we focus our energy, is where will get it. Direct your thoughts at a task keeping you busy, limiting the amount of attention to are feeding your anxiety.
4) Exercise – Exercise has always been a doctor’s number 1 remedy for any mental health disorder. Physical movement has been proven to limit the severity of many mental health issues as it releases chemicals like endorphins and serotonin that improve your mood.
4 easy but doable tasks to tick off every day, hopefully helping you minimise your feelings of anxiety.
