How do you deal with anxiety?

[Anonymous]

How do you deal with anxiety? I have pretty bad anxiety but I don't want to take meds to control it. Are there any other way (apart from preathing techniques)?

[ashlala]

CBT has changed my life. I learned about it when I was seeing a counselor in college but there are tons of free resources online too, to learn how to do the techniques. Realizing just HOW much negative thinking I did and how thoughts/feelings/behaviors were all connected and how it contributed to my anxiety was a game changer. Not to sound like an ad, but two sites really helped me. getselfhelp. co. uk was a life saver for its free resources. And the site Tinybuddha. com helped me a lot with learning mindfulness.

Other than that, I started meditating regularly and journaling every day. It's still a process and I'm still working at it but I am miles and miles ahead of where I was. It takes a lot of hard work but if you are willing to put it the time, it can be done.

[Anonymous]

the only things i can really suggest are stay away from caffeine, alcohol and drugs. they really mess with your brain especially regarding anxiety and depression. rest a lot, and just take it easy. distract yourself with good friends and set positive goals. maybe even mini goals that are easy to reach, so you feel accomplished when you finish them :-) also try talking to someone. a therapist or even a really close friend can help. you need a support system, and it's totally fine to go to a friend when you feel super anxious. let it all out.

[Opinion Owner]

thank you for mh

[AmongTheFirs]

I've controlled it chemically for about 15 years and still managed to learn coping techniques once the meds leveled me out. Also, going to CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy) helped and it was really cheap because it was run by grad students at my university. Talk therapy with a decent shrink (if you don't like them by session 3, find another).

Meditation and exercise are excellent. I do neither.

[GadzQue]

Everyone has feelings of anxiety, nervousness, tension, and stress from time to time. Here are 5 ways to help manage them:

1. Become a relaxation expert. We all think we know how to relax.
2. Get enough sleep, nourishment, and exercise.
3. Connect with others.
4. Connect with nature.
5. Think positive.

hope it helps you :)

[Klaatu51]

listen to nusic that you lke basically...;-)