Anxiety is a difficult mental health condition that can last minutes, hours, or even weeks at a time. It can appear at any point in time and prevent you from working, enjoying your free time, or leaving the safe space of your home. If you suffer from anxiety, there are some things you need to do to help deal with this condition and manage your symptoms. Here are some things you need to know:

Do Not Avoid Your Symptoms

One thing you should never do as a person suffering from anxiety is to avoid your symptoms and feelings. Doing so will not help and can actually cause your symptoms to worsen. Admitting how you are feeling helps you to better realize that it is okay to have those feelings.

Take a Moment for Yourself

Once you begin to have feelings of anxiety, take some time for yourself to recover. Peaks of anxiety manifest as a heightened state of awareness that can consist of nervousness, agitation, sadness, and other negative feelings. When you feel this way, you may have difficulty thinking clearly about what is happening. The area of the brain that makes decisions does not function like normal. Stopping for a moment to take a break and breathe can help you calm down and better deal with the symptoms. Continue to breathe until you begin to feel less anxious.

Identify Your Triggers

Each time you experience anxiety, try to pay attention to what was happening at the onset of your symptoms. Over the course of anxiety episodes, you might begin to see a trend that results in your attacks. It can be helpful to know what caused your anxiety so you can avoid those triggers in the future.

Enjoy Stress-Relieving Activities

If you have not yet done so, try to find some enjoyable, low-stress activities or hobbies to engage in. Relaxing with something fun can have a positive impact on your stress levels, which is often a trigger for anxiety episodes. Taking time to read a good book, play a game, or work on a craft project is a great way to help keep you calm and focused.

Speak to a Professional

It can be difficult to deal with anxiety on your own. Those with anxiety can benefit from talking about how they feel with a professional psychiatric counselor. The issue for many people is getting started. You might have feelings of embarrassment, or you may not want to talk about things that are personal to you with someone you do not yet have a relationship with. However, licensed counselors have the training to help identify your triggers and help reduce your feelings of anxiety. It also helps to talk about your emotions with someone who has the knowledge to teach you the skills you need to deal with your anxiety properly.

If you have questions or need help with anxiety, contact a psychiatrist counselor.