Anxiety can infiltrate and disrupt all aspects of your life.

Anxiety often rears its ugly head when least expected, and has a way of tarnishing even the most mundane of pleasant activities.

A wise man once said- It only takes one drop of poison to ruin the entire glass of water.

Similarly, it often only takes a moment of anxiety to disrupt an entire morning, afternoon, or evening.

There is no certain way to control or predict when or how anxiety may strike.

And there is no limit to how much stress anxiety can create in your life.

If you suffer from anxiety, seek the help of a licensed professional counselor.

In the meantime, here are some helpful tips on anxiety and stress management. 

Anxiety and Stress Management: The Vicious Cycle

One way to better practice anxiety and stress management is to understand the vicious cycle anxiety and stress create.

A stressful incident or encounter may trigger your anxiety.

For example, if you get stressful news it may cause you to experience anxiety.

Conversely, when you feel anxious it often leads to stress.

For example, if you feel anxious about a job interview, it often causes you to stress about other unrelated topics.

Anxiety and stress are a vicious cycle.

Anxiety and stress often trigger the other into a damaging snowball effect.

Remember, stress usually occurs as the result of bad news, or an incident outside your control.

For example, you get stressed when you lose your job, get cheated on, taken advantage of or hear that someone you know was hurt or wronged.

Anxiety may come from an incident outside your control, but not always.

Anxiety can well up for seemingly no reason, at any time or place.

Anxiety and stress are very similar but ultimately different. And yet, together they create a vicious cycle.

So, when it comes to anxiety and stress management, the resources and tools are often the same.

Anxiety and Stress Management: Physical Body

An important part of anxiety and stress management is caring for your physical body.

Remember, the mind and body are intertwined.

Physical health contributes to mental and emotional health.

When you care for your physical body, you're caring for your psychological health.

Physical activities helpful for anxiety and stress management include exercise, team sports, yoga, meditation, and deep breathing techniques.

To help with anxiety and stress management, physical activity doesn't have to be aerobic or strenuous.

In fact, placing too much physical strain on the body can aggravate anxiety or stress.

A vital part of anxiety and stress management is what you put in your body- you are what you eat and drink.

Many who struggle with anxiety and stress management find it helpful to avoid alcohol and caffeine.

And yet, remember that knowing your body and doing all things in moderation is the key.

Anxiety and Stress Management: Emotional Strength

When it comes to anxiety and stress management, your emotions are like muscles.

The more you exercise your emotions in a positive, constructive way, the more emotionally strong you become.

Too often our unchecked negative emotions undermine our attempts at anxiety and stress management.

Your positive emotions need nurturing, just like you.

Emotionally positive activities to help with anxiety and stress management include journaling, creative writing, art appreciation, poetry, and scrapbooking.

It is important to keep in mind that these activities should be geared towards the positive.

For example, instead of journaling about a break-up, journal about good memories or positive goals.

Other emotionally positive activities to help with anxiety and stress management include: talking to friends or loved ones or just laughing.

Again, positive conversations with loved ones or friends cultivate emotional strength.

Knowing and caring for yourself includes knowing which relationships, conversations, and people are toxic and negative.

Surround yourself with joyous people. And don't forget to laugh. 

Anxiety and Stress Management: Spiritual Calm

Spiritual calm plays a vital role in anxiety and stress management.

By spiritual calm I mean- that which makes you feel grateful, blessed, peaceful, or content.

Anxiety and stress have a nasty way of making you feel alone, abandoned, and powerless.

To combat these negative feelings, part of anxiety and stress management is finding your own path to spiritual calm.

Remember, your individual path to spiritual calm is as individual as you are.

You must find what makes you feel calm, centered, and empowered.

Spiritually positive activities to help with anxiety and stress management include meditation, prayer, praise songs, journaling your blessings, tarot, or studying holy texts.

Whatever your personal beliefs, spiritual calm means that you find an activity that makes you feel centered, empowered, and content.

Other spiritually positive activities to help with anxiety and stress management include volunteer charity work and writing random messages of gratitude.

Helping others less fortunate has always been a trusted way to make you feel more fortunate yourself.

Try sending a text of gratitude to someone for no special reason, telling them how much you appreciate them.

The more you give, the more you get.

Anxiety and Stress Management: Morning & Bedtime

One of the hallmarks of anxiety and stress management is how you start your day and how you end your day.

If you suffer from anxiety and stress, it is important to establish a positive morning and bedtime routine.

Morning and bedtime routines help set the precedent for a positive, peaceful frame of mind.

Your morning routine may include a healthy breakfast, exercise, an activity of spiritual calm, and a daily plan.

Being organized helps reduce anxiety and stress,

Your bedtime routine may include decaffeinated herbal tea, turning off the TV and phone, relaxing music, and activity of spiritual calm.

Remember, your personal morning and bedtime routines should be personalized to your needs.

Conclusion

Anxiety and stress management means making choices to live a healthier life.

There are many avenues and activities to explore when choosing your daily routines and rituals.

If you suffer from anxiety and want to know more about anxiety and stress management, contact a licensed professional counselor.

A licensed professional counselor can guide you on your journey towards peace, contentment, and empowerment.

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