Coping with Anxiety

Anxiety has a special way of making us feel overwhelmed and sometimes immobilized.  If this is happening often, then it is also a sign that your anxiety is not being managed well.  Coping with anxiety looks different for everyone so this planner is meant to help you explore your own coping skills.  I can give you some suggestions and even tell you things that I do, but we are all different!

Coping Skills can be broken down into two categories:  Preventative and As-Needed.  Preventative coping skills are routines and habits that you implement to keep you at the top of your game.

As-Needed coping skills are the things we keep in our toolbox for when we are experiencing anxiety.  These are essential for slowing down the spiral of anxiety and returning to a stable state of mind.

Both categories of coping skills are necessary for successfully managing anxiety.  The preventative coping skills set us up for success during our day and allow our as-needed coping skills to work in the moment.

Think of the maintenance you do for your car as a preventative coping skill.  If you don't get the oil changed and rotate the tires, then you are likely to have issues with your car running regularly.  Filling up your gas tank is  like using an as-needed coping skill.  The combination of these things will likely keep your car running smoothly.

We cannot get rid of anxiety, but we can set ourselves up for success when managing it.

Preventative Coping Skills to Try:

• Exercise

• Eating a Healthy Diet

• Creating a Sleep Routine

• Meditation

• Reading

• Positive Affirmations

As-Needed Coping Skills to Try:

• Deep Breathing

• Grounding

• Taking a Walk

• Taking a Break from a Situation

• Talking to a Trusted Friend

These are some suggestions that have helped many clients, however, Coping Skills are not a one-size-fits-all type of thing. Talk about your specific coping needs in your next session. Contact here!