Video:Tips for Managing Anxiety

Transcript:Tips for Managing Anxiety

Hi, I'm Omar Saad here for About.com and today we're going to take a look at some tips for managing your anxiety, using information from About.com's Stress Management site.

Journaling Can Help Manage Anxiety

Regardless of how well one's life may be going, we're all subject to moments of anxiety. Before anxiety gets the better of you, consider the following: Anxiety is often the result of fear and worry. That being the case, you might find it beneficial to examine your deeper concerns through journaling. Studies have shown that those who have serious worries benefit from journaling exercises. Writing down one's fears, and examining both the "silver lining" and worst-case scenarios, helps to reduce anxiety levels.

Meditation Is a Soothing Way to Manage Anxiety

Meditation has long been thought to help calm, relax, and focus those who take part in it. As detailed on About.com's Stress Management site: "... meditation can disrupt thought patterns that perpetuate anxiety." Another great thing about this method is that it costs nothing and all you need is a quiet space.

Change Your Outlook to Manage Anxiety

Have you ever noticed how the context we put something in can heavily affect our feelings about it down the line? To that end, changing your outlook on a situation can affect your level of anxiety toward it. For example, try to look at that upcoming week of work as a challenge to be conquered, as opposed to a date on the calendar to be dreaded.

Talk to Someone to Manage Anxiety

One of the most tried and true methods of dealing with worry and anxiety is to talk to someone. Whether it's a friend or professional, getting worries off your chest can help to alleviate stress and anxiety. It can also help you to see the situation from a distance, possibly allowing you to feel more control, which may aid you in finding solutions to the problem.

Physical Activity Can Help Manage Anxiety

Being consumed by a stressful situation can definitely boost your anxiety levels, so it's a good idea to have some stress relief outlets on back-up. Whether it's jogging, yoga, or some other physical activity, it always helps to focus on something other than your worries.

How to Manage an Anxiety Attack

If you find yourself unable to control your anxiety with any of the aforementioned methods, or your attack comes on suddenly, there are a few easy things you can do to diffuse the situation. If your breathing is erratic and your anxiety levels are worsening, grab a paper bag and breathe into it.

Oftentimes, when we're in the throes of a full panic attack, we blow out too much CO2, which leads to an imbalance of bicarbonate in our blood. Re-breathing the CO2 can help restore the balance, thereby alleviating the anxiety attack.

Listening to music or playing a musical instrument can also have a calming affect, so grab your iPod or guitar and get ready to feel your anxiety melt away.

Ask a Professional for Help With Managing Anxiety

One note: if you find that in spite of these techniques your anxiety symptoms don't improve, worsen or are significantly impacting your life, you may want to consult with a mental health professional. Whether you meditate regularly, or practice yoga a few times a week, you can keep your anxiety in check by having a few quick and easy methods on stand by.

Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us on the web at About.com.