Our Top Coping Skills for Managing Anxiety

This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (15th – 21st) is focused on anxiety.

“Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe.” – NHS, 2023.

In the UK, over 8 million people suffer with an anxiety disorder. We believe everyone manages their anxiety differently. Some of us will have tried and tested ways that we use to cope with our anxiety, but some of us may need some guidance or ideas of things to try.

It is important to try a variety of techniques, either on their own or in combination to find a method that what works for you.

  • Deep breathing and meditation – these techniques distract you from your anxiety by allowing your body to be filled with oxygenated air and allowing your body to relax.
  • Exercise – particularly in the fresh air can release serotonin and shift your brain’s focus off anxiety.
  • Get some z’s – sleep helps us prepare for what life has in store for us and can help us process events in our lives. It enables our blood pressure and heart rate to drop which can help calm and reset our mind.
  • Limiting your alcohol, smoking and caffeine intake – these three things can potentially increase feelings of anxiety and depression, so by limiting them, we potentially reduce our anxious feelings.

These suggestions are all based on natural remedies and some anxiety disorders may need medical intervention and professional help. It is important you speak to your GP if your feelings of anxiety are interfering with your everyday life.

If you feel that your workplace needs to change it’s approach to mental health, we have a range of courses to help including our Mental Health First Aid courses and our Developing a Mental Health Policy online course.

To find out more about Mental Health Awareness Week, visit www.mentalhealth.org.uk today.

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