Anxiety is something that most of us deal with at some point in our lives. Normal amounts of anxiety are okay and easier to manage. However, for many people, their anxiety never goes away, and it interferes with their activities of daily living.
When this happens, the person may be struggling with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). All anxiety is valid and deserves help. Here are five tips for managing anxiety.
1. Go to God in Prayer
One tip for managing anxiety is to go to God in prayer. As someone who struggles with generalized anxiety disorder, going to God in prayer is something I have found to be extremely helpful.
Talking it out with God and explaining to Him how I feel can often make me feel much better. Maybe the same would help you when you find yourself struggling with anxiety.
When you go to God in prayer, be real with Him. Tell Him exactly how you are feeling and what is causing you anxiety. Take deep breaths and rest in the peace that God is holding you up.
You might not feel strong enough at the time, but God is. The Lord tells us, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
As the Lord tells us in this verse, He gives us peace. Our hearts do not need to be troubled, nor do they need to be afraid. Jesus is with us always and this truth alone can often help our anxiety in many ways.
Knowing the Lord is always with you can help the anxiety lessen because you know He will never leave you and He will always protect you. Go to Him in prayer and rest in the peace of knowing that God is always there for you.
2. Spend Time in the Bible
A second tip for managing anxiety is to spend some time in the Bible. It is easy to run out of time or to not have enough time to read the Bible, but it is crucially important to be in the Word every day.
When you are having anxiety, knowing Bible passages and turning to the Bible can help you in immeasurable ways.
Memorizing Bible passages can help you be reminded of God’s truth and reflect on it throughout your day. It could be that as you repeat the Bible verse to yourself, it will help alleviate the anxiety.
A few Bible passages that can help with anxiety are Joshua 1:9, John 14:27, 2 Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 40:31, and Luke 12:22. These are only a few of the Bible passages you could memorize and reflect on when you are having anxiety.
Truly, any passage from the Bible could help your anxiety to not be as severe. Don’t neglect to read the Bible as well because this will help cultivate a greater understanding of the Bible and how God works in the world.
As you become more familiar with God in the Bible, it will help you be more at peace. Through the Bible, we learn God is kind, loving, understanding, forgiving, and full of light.
Since we know that to be true, it can help diminish the negative feelings that anxiety tries to produce in us.
Anxiety tries to convince us the worst-case scenario will happen, but the Bible helps us know that no matter what happens, God is always with us and He is always by our side. Anxiety is rooted in fear, but faith is rooted in trust in the Lord.
3. Talk with a Friend
A third tip for managing anxiety is to talk with a friend. Whenever I am overcome with anxiety, one of the best things that helps is talking with my sister about whatever is causing me anxiety. Simply talking about it can help greatly and your friend or sibling can help you calm down.
Anxiety causes us to think irrationally at times and having someone there to reframe our thoughts can help a lot. By being reminded that this too soon will pass can help the anxiety not feel as strong.
Talking with a friend or another loved one can help you in your struggle against anxiety. Try to talk with a loved one the next time you are feeling anxious and allow them to comfort you.
Anxiety wants to make us feel as though the world is ending, yet our loved ones can remind us that everything will be okay. No matter what you are facing today, know that nothing is too big for God, and talking about your anxieties with a loved one can help your anxiety calm down.
4. Do a Self-Care Activity
A fourth tip for managing anxiety is to do a self-care activity. A few ideas for self-care activities are to go for a walk, do a hobby you enjoy, or watch your favorite movie. Anything that you consider self-care can help you when you are struggling with anxiety.
By doing a self-care activity, you will be able to distract yourself and get your mind off whatever is causing you anxiety. Even if you have anxiety for no reason, as I do, doing a self-care activity will help the anxiety not be as loud.
Think about something that makes you feel happy. Maybe that is buying a new outfit, reading your new book, or painting a piece of art. Try to do one of these things when you are feeling anxious, and it can help bring down the high levels of anxiety that you are experiencing.
Many times, doctors or therapists will say self-care activities could be getting out into nature or taking a bubble bath, but this isn’t self-care for everyone. Pick what you want to do and do it when you are feeling anxious.
5. Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Professional Help
A fifth tip for managing anxiety is to not be afraid to seek professional help. Even with trying to manage your anxiety on your own, there might be times the anxiety still persists.
When you notice that your anxiety is interfering with your daily life, it’s time to talk to a professional. A doctor and a therapist can help you with your struggles and provide you with the tools that you need to alleviate the anxiety.
Doctors are able to prescribe medicines that help with anxiety and therapists are able to help give you resources to help with your anxiety. There is nothing wrong with seeking help and nothing to be ashamed of. Going to get professional help is very brave and very strong.
There is no reason to feel bad, guilty, or ashamed of having to seek out help from a doctor or a therapist. I have talked with both my doctor and therapist about my anxiety. Don’t be afraid to seek out help as it can help you greatly.
Sadly, there is a lot of taboo surrounding going to the doctor or a therapist in Christian culture but pay no attention to this. The Lord wants you to get the help you need. If people say bad things or think bad things about someone seeking help for their issues, that is their problem.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting the help you need and deserve. The Lord died in order for you to have an abundant life and within this abundant life, He doesn’t want you to have to suffer through anxiety every day.
Seek out a professional today if you are experiencing severe anxiety. They can help you and give you the tools you need in order to feel better.
For further reading:
3 Ways You Can Fight Your Anxiety
5 Sneaky Lies Your Anxiety Tells You Are True
7 Ways You Are Letting Anxiety Control Your Day
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Marsell Gorska Gautier
