Anxiety is the most common mental health condition across the globe. For many people, however, the symptoms of anxiety come and go. Some people are only affected when they’re triggered. Others are able to keep their symptoms mostly at bay.
When you have chronic anxiety, though, it often feels like the fear and uncertainty will never end.
You might constantly feel restless or uneasy. Your racing thoughts never go away. The fear and worry are there from the moment you wake up to the moment you fall asleep.
Does that sound familiar?
If so, you’re not alone, and it’s important to know that you don’t need to live that way forever.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at chronic anxiety and how you can effectively cope with it.
What is Chronic Anxiety?
The difference between chronic anxiety and other anxiety disorders is its persistence and consistency. You might ask yourself regularly if your feelings of fear will ever go away or even subside for a while so you can find some peace.
Unfortunately, it isn’t an easy way to live.
Some of the most common symptoms of chronic anxiety include:
- Disproportionate stress
- Restlessness
- Worry
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
When you’re worried all the time, it can cause a vicious cycle with your symptoms. Feelings of fear can exacerbate things like insomnia and stress. Insomnia and stress, in turn, can fuel your fears.
If you’re struggling with chronic anxiety, you already know how exhausting it can be. Thankfully, there is hope. There are things you can do each day to cope with the effects of this condition.
How to Reduce Anxiety Naturally
Fighting back against the effects of chronic anxiety is a daily effort. There are many “little things” you can do to keep your feelings under control. Staying active is a great way to start. Exercise boosts your mood and energy levels and can serve as a great distraction.
You should also consider practicing mindfulness or meditation on a daily basis. Both allow you to clear your head and focus on the present, rather than worrying about the past or future. Self-care is more than just a buzzword. It can make a big difference in your stress levels and how “strong” your anxiety feels at any given time.
A deeper way to cope with anxiety is to question your thought patterns. If you’re dealing with chronic anxiety, try to ask yourself what’s fueling your fear. You might have triggers you don’t know about. Or, you might be dealing with some kind of underlying cause that you haven’t fully explored.
Talking to a Therapist
If you feel you can’t cope with chronic anxiety on your own, one of the best things you can do is to seek professional help. Anxiety doesn’t often go away on its own. Getting treatment will help you take control of your thoughts and your life again.
One of the great things about talking to a therapist is the fact that they can help you get to the root cause of your anxiety. It isn’t always easy to do on your own.
A therapist serves as a neutral, safe party that can make you comfortable enough to talk about those underlying problems. It’s one of the best places to start when you have anxiety. You’ll be able to work through that original problem and put it behind you. The more you do, the easier it will become to handle your symptoms.
Feel free to contact me if you’re struggling with chronic anxiety. It’s never too early or too late to get the help you deserve.
For more information about anxiety treatment, click here.
