How to Comfort Yourself When you’re Feeling Anxious

Sharon Moore December 15, 2015

There are many things in life that make us feel frustrated and anxious. Having anxiety is incredibly frustrating. And once it gets out of control, it becomes overwhelming. But don’t lose hope. Below are some great strategies to comfort yourself whenever you are feeling anxious.

Take a timeout.

It is very important, when you are feeling anxious, that you take time to make yourself feel better. Listen to music, have a massage, learn some relaxation techniques, or practise yoga. Stepping back a little from the problem helps you clear your mind and recharge your batteries.

Take deep breaths.

Deep breathing is one great relaxation technique that can greatly calm you down. It’s easy, practical but very effective. Inhale and exhale slowly. You will be surprised of how this simple strategy can have an amazing impact on your mood.

Learn more relaxation techniques.

There are various relaxation techniques that work well in alleviating anxiety. These include visualisation, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation. When you start a relaxation exercise, you’re thinking about how it makes you feel and what it does. But for it to be effective, you have to keep it doing and really engage to this activity. Relaxation techniques such as those mentioned above not only help you fight anxiety and other unwanted emotions.

Get enough sleep.

Too much stress can make you feel more anxious. When stressed, your body needs additional sleep and rest. When you sleep, your body goes through the process of self-healing and repair. So when you wake up, you feel more refreshed and energised.

Set realistic expectations.

When we are having too high expectations, we increase our chances of frustrated in the end. Making realistic expectations lowers your chances of getting disappointed whenever you are unable to meet your goals.

Get involved.

There are a lot of benefits to getting involved. Volunteer or find another way to be active in your community. Getting involved in community activities creates a support network and gives you a break from everyday stress.

Find someone to talk to.

Knowing that someone listens to you gives you great relief from anxiety and any other unwanted emotion. Tell friends and family that you are feeling overwhelmed, and do not hesitate to let them know how they can help you. If you feel uncomfortable talking to someone, talk to a physician or therapist for professional help.

Maintain a positive attitude. Make an effort to replace negative thoughts with positive ones. It’s going to be difficult at first especially when you are already feeling overwhelmed. But by making efforts to practise optimism every single day, learning to cope with anxiety gets easier.