Anxiety Relief Tools

In this age of 24-hour disaster news, climate change, and the daily pressures of meeting the requirements of home, school and work, it’s easy to feel anxious.

According to Dr. Murray Bowen, “when family or household members get anxious, the anxiety can escalate by spreading infectiously among them. As anxiety goes up, the emotional connectedness of family members becomes more stressful than comforting. Eventually, one or more members may feel overwhelmed, isolated, or out of control”.

If anxiety escalates to the point of causing mental and health conditions such as insomnia, eating disorders, depression, substance abuse and more, Hannah’s House advises seeking professional help.

“Anyone can have an anxiety disorder, but people who have lived through abuse, severe losses or other adverse experiences are more likely to develop one.”

~ World Health Organization

Tools of Prevention

To help manage your symptoms of anxiety and promote your overall well-being, you can:

• avoid or cut down on alcohol and don’t use illicit drugs, which can make anxiety worse
• exercise regularly, even if it’s just a short walk
• stick to regular eating and sleeping habits as much as possible and eat a healthy diet
• learn relaxation techniques, such as slow breathing and progressive muscle relaxation
• develop the habit of mindfulness meditation, even if it’s just a few minutes per day