Lucky is a man who leads an anxiety – free life. I always wonder if life can ever be sans anxiety or not. Juggling between life’s curve balls, fulfilling dreams, acquiring accomplishments, running ahead in cut-throat competitions, huh…I mean the list of anxiety-provoking situations around us is never-ending.

When you have to go through so many dimensions in your life, anxiety is bound to peek in by means of varied permutations and combination. When I used to face examination-anxiety, I used to think that “I wish there would be one magic anti-anxiety pill I would eat and sleep at night. In the morning when I would get up all my anxiety would get vanished”. How silly I was, isn’t it friends? I did not know that life is not like an “Alice in the Wonderland” dream. Life is a journey filled with practical, bitter and better experiences.

My life changed when gradually I learned about anxiety-handling skills. Now I know when an anxiety provokes me, I know how to kick it out and handle it effectively. I would like to share some handy techniques with you, that would help you to prevent and manage anxiety; common day-to-day anxiety and in the prevention of clinical anxiety disorders:

  • If you have already read my first blog post on anxiety, this point is like a recapitulation for you. Do not pay heed to the automated illusion negative thoughts that your mind creates about the future.
  • Work on the present and plan for the future. Getting tensed and worried about the future will only land you in an array of anxiety, stress and turmoil.
  • Eat well, sleep well, socialize with good people, pamper yourself, pursue hobbies or help the needy, read good books, listen to some music, exercise-walk daily, do regular breathing exercises. All these would add up to fostering self-confidence within yourself, enhance physical and mental healthy, develop well-defined coping mechanisms, and will ultimately help you to either stay out of or efficiently deal anxiety-provoking situations.
  • “An empty mind is a devil’s workshop”…do not let any kind of empty time gobble up your mind’s productivity.
  • Brooding over the past, procrastination, etc are some of the important reasons that push you into unnecessary anxiety situations. For example, you have an exam in 15 days. If you won’t study well ahead of the exams you will obviously feel anxious when the exams are near. But if you devote ample time to study regularly, prepare notes, take help to clarify doubts etc then undoubtedly you will do well in your exams without panic and feeling anxious. Therefore, sometimes anxiety is created unnecessarily. This is something that is completely in your hands and under your control.
  • If you are compelled to do something under the influence of anxiety, it is always wise not to pay heed to that compulsive thought and engage your mind and behaviour in some other adaptive measures/work.
  • Recognize yourself, your strengths and weak points.
  • Understand the nature of the situation and build an insight on what actually provokes anxiety within you. Once you do this it will be easier to handle/prevent the provoking aspects.
  • I always emphasize on building up of support systems in your life. Whenever you feel worried and tensed talk to a supportive friend or family member of yours.
  • If at any point of time you feel that you are getting entangled in the symptoms of anxiety it is high time to consult a counselor or psychologist for professional help.
  • The good news is that Anxiety disorders fall under the category of Psycho-neurotic ailments. Under this category, people can do well in their lives and get rid of the symptoms with guided help, self-help and in a short duration of time. They are easy to prevent, manage and cure.

So friends, these were some of the important ways in which you can prevent and manage anxiety in your daily lives. Most of the pointers may be already known to you. However the difference lies in what you already know and what you do. Because:

“Life is ten percent what you experience and ninety percent how you respond to it.” – Dorothy M. Neddermeyer

Best Wishes,

Sareeta