7 Ways to Cope With Anxiety

7 April 2015



Anxiety is more than just stress, worry or nervousness - it's a combination of all three and more, immensely intensified. When someone who suffers from anxiety is having an attack, it can be an incredibly frightening experience. Your breathing quickens, your chest tightens, your heart starts to burn as if you could be having a heart attack, your mind is all over the place, you may even get dizzy or blurred vision.

Here in Australia, more than 2 million adults suffer from anxiety. Having an anxiety (or panic) attack is an awful, scary and distressing thing to experience. It can feel like the world is closing in on you and with nowhere to run you're going to suffocate. And I would know, because I am one of those 2 million Australian's that suffer from anxiety.

Over several years I have learnt new ways to cope with my anxiety, so today I'm going to share with you seven of those coping methods. Even if you don't have anxiety, these tips can still be really useful for dealing with things like stress and nerves.

Go for a walk. Getting outside and breathing in some fresh air is always a sure-fire way to calm yourself down and clear your head. Exercise is scientifically proven to release endorphins (ie. happy hormones) as well as make you feel fitter and healthier, making it a great stress-reliever.

Drink some tea. While many herbal teas are highly regarded for their calming qualities (chamomile, ) I personally find that any sort of tea is helpful in combatting anxiety. My favourite is a Toasty Nougat tea from T2 with a little milk and sugar.

Write. Whether it be in a journal, a letter, a story, or even a blog - just write. Being able to release everything that you're feeling, and everything that's running through your head can be such a relaxing and therapeutic exercise to help relieve stress and cope with anxiety.

Take a bath (or shower). This is something I always find relaxes me quite easily. Having some time to yourself to just clear your mind and gather your thoughts is really helpful in dealing with anxiety, and what better way to do so that with a nice, warm bath or shower?

Light a candle. The smell of a burning candle is possibly one of the most beautiful and relaxing things, to be honest. I love creamy and sweet smelling candles, my favourite is my Vanilla Noel candle from Bath and Body Works - absolutely delicious and makes you feel warm, cosy and peaceful almost immediately.

Watch your favourite light-hearted movie. I say light-hearted because if your favourite movie is a horror, thriller, murder mystery or anything along those lines, it's probably not going to help you in coping with anxiety. A fun comedy, romance or even - in my case - a classic Disney movie, on the other hand is a great way to relax and occupy your mind with something fun and not so serious.

Take a deep breath. It may seem obvious, but when you're stressed out, nervous, or having an anxiety attack, it can be easy to forget to just breathe. So it's worth remembering to do so. A simple breath in and out can do wonders in relieving anxiety, and sometimes it's the simplest things we forget that can make a world of difference.

And there we have it - 7 ways to cope with anxiety. I hope that these have been helpful to you in some way or another, and if you feel that you or someone you know may need help, or you'd simply like to learn more about anxiety you can find some great information here.

Let me know - do you suffer from anxiety? Do you know someone that does? And what are some of your tips on how to cope with anxiety?

xx Chontelle Louise

55 comments

  1. I started getting anxiety after first getting sick. And for me, my biggest tip is to just let go. I think, for me anyway, when I start getting anxious I really try and push it away and get really frustrated when it won't budge. So now when I'm feeling anxious I just take a big breath in and release it and let all my muscles relax. That always seems to aid just a little bit.
    Hope you're feeling good x

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    1. I can totally relate, and yeah that's also a really great tip <3 I'm good, glad you've found a way to deal with it too! xx

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  2. Chontelle, I like your blog and your post! I am now following you on gfc. hope we may follow each other.
    oh yeah and about Milan, it wasn't my favorite city in Italy. Maybe because it was too urban for me and I was looking for an escape from new york lol. when you do go, I'd love to hear about it! :D

    xx
    smudged-fingerprints.blogspot.com

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    1. My favourite city in Italy so far is actually Pisa to be honest, it was so pretty but not completely overrun by tourists etc. Loved the atmosphere and the cute little streets there! But I'll definitely write about Milan should I visit, or any other place I visit for that matter! Glad you enjoyed my blog and post, I'm also following you xx

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  3. These are great tips! I've been suffering with anxiety for a long time. Deep breathing really helped me a lot. Also affirmations and prayers are great too. :)

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    1. It's so much more common than people think! Yeah deep breathing is honestly the very best thing and so many people completely forget to do it! Affirmations and prayers yes, I didn't even think! xx

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  4. Thanks for sharing this!
    http://dimplekhadi.blogspot.com/2015/04/my-birthday-dinner.html

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  5. Great advice mate, especially number one. When I started running twice a week my anxiety dropped massively. I used to suffer really bad and convince myself of terrible things, like that I had a brain tumor or that someone was in the house when I was alone. Cutting out caffeine and exercising regularly has made that almost nonexistent, it's an amazing difference :) x
    Ally | www.uptownpeach.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. I know what you mean, I used to work myself into a panic over highly unlikely things, it's not fun at all. I'm glad you've managed to fight off your anxiety! <3 xx

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  6. There are so many ways people experience anxiety and also deal with it and it's great you've identified what ways help you best. I'm sure many others will be able to relate! Going for a walk is definitely a tip I know works best for me, just get out of the environment that you're in and try and clear your mind.
    The other night I started having a panic attack as I was falling asleep and it was just horrific as I kept feeling like I was about to have a heart attack. I must have just exhausted myself so eventually got to sleep but it completely takes over you and you don't know how to escape it sometimes.

    She's So Lucy

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    1. Yeah exactly, it's a nice little 'escape' from whatever it is that has your anxiety spiralling out of control.
      Oh no, I hope you're feeling better now <3 It really is a scary thing to experience.
      xx

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  7. GREAT POST DEAR!!!
    Xx
    S.
    www.manthroughclothes.blogspot.com

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  8. Great post
    Thanks for sharing
    XO

    Check my new post.
    The Bandwagon Chic | Instagram | Bloglovin

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    1. It's the best smell! Especially sweet and creamy/chocolatey scents (for me, anyway)! xx

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  10. I really loved your tips! I've been suffering with anxiety for years and now I'm finally trying to cope with it. I always think deep breathing helps! x

    Beyond The Velvet | Beauty, Fashion & Lifestyle Blog

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    1. Thanks, I'm glad you liked them! It's not a nice thing to deal with is it, but yes I definitely agree, I always find deep breathing helps me immensely!x

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  11. completley agree with going for a walk it clears your head :) x x

    http://millieerosee.blogspot.co.uk/

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  12. Thank you so much for a post like this. No many people talk about how to deal with anxiety or panic attacks. I normally switch off the lights, lay on the bed and try to listen to some instrumental music or I go out on the balcony or the roof and spend some time alone, there.
    Love your blog btw.
    -Rupsha | Blog-Lovesicklilac | Twitter-b_rupsha

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  13. This is such a well-written and interesting post! I guess, nearly everybody struggles with anxiety from time to time!

    I love your blog and would be so happy, if we'd follow each other! :) What do you think? :)

    XX, Sara.

    http://saritschka.blogspot.de

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  14. wonderful post!!

    www.wonderlandclothing.com

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  15. Lovely post. I always try and breathe deep breaths and watch youtube videos to distract my mind xx
    Love Vicki | victoriajanex.co.uk

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  16. I always like talking to people I trust when I have anxiety. I find they help calm me. Great post x
    OhjustAlice.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Yes that's a great tip! It is really helpful xx

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  17. I love this. I found baths and teas the best way! Always calms me down!
    Dora Bangs Bang | Bloglovin

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  18. this is so insightful and helpful. baths help me the most!

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  19. Really great tips, I think a movie can be good give you something else to focus on
    Lauren
    livinginaboxx

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  20. Such a lovely read, really enjoyed and totally agree. Would love it if you could check out my latest lookbook where I’m celebrating the end of colder season!
    Kisses xo | From Aliona With Love 

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    1. Glad you enjoyed it, I'll definitely check out your lookbook lovely xx

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    2. Glad you enjoyed it, I'll definitely check out your lookbook lovely xx

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  21. Wonderful post. I used to have anxiety really bad when I was younger. I remember having an anxiety attack in the school bathroom a few years ago. It's a really horrible experience. I don't know why, but counting and doing impossible and complex math problems really helps calm me down; it focuses your attention elsewhere. Thanks for the follow on GFC. I followed you back!
    Paint It Rogue

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    1. Glad you liked it love xx I know what you mean, but yeah that's exactly right, just finding something else to occupy your mind can be so great when you're having an attack! x

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  22. Me and my sister are both sufferers, but i have depression as well which makes it worst. My mum is the only person who can calm me down when I have an "attack".

    emyii90.blogspot.co.uk

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  23. I love these tips, especially the tea and bath. Taking time for yourself is extremely important.

    Connie | Sponsored by Coffee | Bloglovin’

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    1. It really is, I'm glad you enjoyed the post xx

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  24. These are great tips, doll! Mental health + personal time are extremely important!

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

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  25. I really enjoyed reading this post because I suffer with anxiety too. I always take myself away from the situation (if possible) and listen to Ben Howard or Daughter and a bath does always help too.

    Emily//Beauty and Lifestyle Blog

    xx

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  26. Great tips, and great post.

    Jenn | Jennifer Jayne

    P.S - Welcome to blogging.

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  27. Such a nice post and great tips! Thanks for your comment! http://cosmicconfession.blogspot.de/

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  28. This is such a wonderful post. I've been suffering from anxiety (especially social anxiety) for a few years now. I'm still looking for ways to cope with it, and this post has some great tips! Writing is definitely a great way :) Allows you to express yourself and get your thoughts together.
    x Alona

    www.stylewanders.blogspot.com

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    1. I'm so glad you liked it, I hope these tips will come in handy for you in the future! I know it can be tough dealing with anxiety, and social anxiety (which I also struggle with) can make the simplest things so much worse - I used to be too scared to go to the checkout/register myself and made mum go instead because I was that anxious! But these things have definitely helped reduce that xx

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  29. I'm sorry for everyone that has axiety..

    http://industrialbarbie.blogspot.com/

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  30. Thanks for your sweet visit, now I'm following you!!

    You're super cute! ^_^

    ❤Mary❤
    Follow me & check my last post here!

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  31. Amazing tips! And i can honestly relate to some of them because i've been dealing with anxiety before. Like whenever i'm in our car and about to go to school. My palms get sweaty and it's getting really hard for me to focus on anything. The only way i could cope up with it is to breathe. I told my sister about me having an anxiety but she doesn't believe me like she thinks i'm over reacting so i try to write it instead. Thanks for visiting my blog and your lovely comment! xx

    Micah | michastela.blogspot.com

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  32. Amazing post again <3 ! I like visiting your blog :) !
    http://kasjaa.blogspot.com/

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  33. This is a really nice post! I think so many people suffer with anxiety it's great to actually speak about it. Some lovely tips here! Your blog is so cute!xx

    Honeypot Blogs

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  34. These are great tips <3 Whenever I get anxiety over something, I tend to breathe deeply and take a nap. Sleeping it off tends to help me <3

    xx Bash | Bash Says Hey | bloglovin'

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  35. Great post, Chontelle! I agree, the best way to deal with stress and anxiety is to do something that relaxes you ❤
    munchies&musings

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  36. Amazing post, love your writing. ^^
    New outfit is online...

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  37. I really like this post, I found so well written and true: I am an anxious person too, I hate driving and when I play piano in front of people I feel so baad! But anxiety doesn't let us live our lifes at their best, so we have to deal with it and never miss a special moment because of it! :)
    xx Elisa
    www.francinesplacediy.blogspot.com

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  39. Great use of your blog to give other advise on how to cope with anxiety.

    Love,
    www.loyaltofashion.com

    ReplyDelete

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