Top 6 Anxiety Coping Skills

Well… this took a turn. I had every intention of doing fun beginning posts fun, but here we are talking about anxiety coping skills instead. There’s nothing like starting on a serious note 🙄

Couldn’t be some organization tips, cute planners (why did I buy one for 2020??) makeup I’m loving, travels I want to take, crazy, hectic kid stories…etc.

But, here we are. In the midst of a pandemic, schools and businesses closing, stores running out of food and of course, toilet paper.
My life, for the most part, has been run by anxiety and my lack of skills in diminishing its hold on me. It wasn’t until 2015 and some deep therapy as an adult, that I finally learned the skills to gain back my control.

But, try as I might, I still have to make a conscious decision to keep it all in perspective and use those skills before allowing my brain’s natural reaction to take over.

So…. in the midst of chaos, let’s get down to the nitty gritty of what helps.

What are some anxiety coping skills?

1. Breathe

It sounds ridiculously simple, I know. But guess what, we tend to forget how much deep breathing can calm you. Try it. Take 10 really deep breaths… I’ll wait. See, it helps.

2. Learn Your Triggers

Learning and identifying what tends to trigger you most will help you avoid or ,at the very least, anticipate and reroute. For me, this meant keeping a journal and finding patterns. And honestly this changes year by year and in this worldly climate, day by day.

3. Journal

There’s something about putting pen to paper and getting those emotions out of my body that is therapeutic. Even when I have no idea how I feel. I will write nonsense until eventually it begins to form into actual thoughts and feelings.

4.Take a Walk

Or any form of working out you like. I just prefer to be in nature and walk. Let those endorphins loose and release all the worry and negativity.

5.Talk to Someone

Hopefully there is someone in your life that you can lean on and trust. This one is hard. I struggled with the feeling of “being a burden”. It’s not easy, but if you have people around you that care, they will want to help by being a listening ear.

6.Music

For me, music helps me most of all. I’ve loved music since I was young and it can make or break a mood. Find something that helps you get into a positive headspace and let it change your mood.

Sometimes I combine methods. I tend to write and listen to music at the same time. It puts me in a creative space and it’s become an amazing outlet. Find what works for you. It’s a trying time for many people, but I know what it’s like to already be living with your mind in constant worry and then throwing this on top of it all! IT’S TOO MUCH!

Take a bath, light a candle, sing in the rain, bake a cake, go for a drive… do what makes you feel at ease and stay happy and well.

So go out and try some of these for yourself and see if they help you as much as they’ve helped me!

Other mental health posts:

Anxiety Does Not Make Us – Pineapple and Palms

You Are Enough: 5 Ways To Improve Your Self Image – Pineapple and Palms

Achieving Your Destiny – Pineapple and Palms

5 Ways Traveling Can Benefit Your Mental Health – Pineapple and Palms

Be Bold, Be Brave, Own Your Life – Pineapple and Palms