Keep Busy

A busy mind has less time to think about everything you’re anxious about. Doing something that will engage your mind in a fun way and help the feelings of anxiety pass.

Try watching or reading something, or, if you don’t think it will make it worse, being around other people.

Question every step of your thought process

People with anxiety tend to get anxious over little things or jump to the worst possible conclusions and then worry about them. Try (as hard as it is) to think about what you’re anxious about from an outside perspective. Does it make sense to be nervous in this situation? Is the level of anxiety appropriate? If you do this effectively you’ll probably find a flaw in your thinking. You may still feel anxious and have the physical symptoms of anxiety, but deep down you’ll know that’s no need and it’s all okay, and knowing that might help tell your body to calm down. Sometimes telling a friend can help as it’s probably easier for them to identify flaws in your thinking than it is for you.

Please write it down

Sometimes writing down your anxieties can help you get rid of them or even just make you feel better. It’s also a great way to identify flaws in your thinking. You can either do this at the time you’re anxious, or periodically (every day/week). If you just let yourself write freely you might find that something you weren’t aware of is bothering you. This can be a great way to bring your subconscious worries into your conscious, enabling you to deal with them.

Confront what’s making you anxious.

It takes balls, but if you deal with what you’re feeling anxious about you won’t have to deal with the anxiety. Is it a problem at work? Talk to your boss. Something your partner did? Go and discuss it with them. Being anxious won’t help anything; in fact, it’ll probably just make it worse. The only way to get rid of a problem is to do something about it

Sometimes we can be too proud to admit that we need professional help, but a little CBT can help you train your mind to react better in situations that usually make you anxious. It can be difficult to admit you need it, but once you’ve taken the appropriate actions to get help, things can only really get better. You’ll hopefully learn the reasons for your anxiety, be able to recognise what triggers it and learn how to manage it better in everyday life.