Tips for Coping with Anxiety

Symptoms of anxiety often include a faster heartbeat, sweaty palms or a feeling of impending doom. You may feel uncertain about the future or worried about a particular situation. While 2020 has proved to be quite stressful so far, just know you’re not alone in feeling this way.

Some people cope with anxiety in unhealthy ways like overeating, smoking or excessively consuming alcohol and illicit drugs. While they may feel good in the moment, unhealthy habits may end up doing more harm than good.

Fortunately, there are several healthy ways to cope with anxiety and keep those feelings at bay.

Here Are Some Tips for Coping With Anxiety

Be Prepared

Anxiety can often be the result of a lack of organization or preparation. If you’re anxious about a certain event, be it getting exposed to COVID-19 or facing a major hurricane, make sure to prepare yourself as much as you can. Having an adequate supply of food, medications and other essential items can help alleviate worries in an emergency. You can also cut down on medication costs by using a prescription discount card like one from Inside Rx.

Get Enough Sleep

One of the most beneficial ways to cope with anxiety is to get adequate sleep. Without enough sleep, your body kicks up its production of stress hormones, such as cortisol. An increased stress response can also lead to problems with your overall health. Getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night can help protect against inflammation, preserve your mental health, and balance your mood.

Exercise Often

When you exercise, your body produces feel-good chemicals like endorphins and dopamine, which can help you feel happier and less anxious. Just 30 to 60 minutes of exercise most days of the week can have impactful health benefits. It can also boost your confidence as you work toward new fitness goals. If you’re unable to go to the gym, walking outside for 20 minutes is also a great way to get vitamin D, which may help improve your mood.

Eat Right

Try to eat a well-balanced meal 2 to 3 times a day. Eating right is a vital part of taking care of yourself and nourishing your body with the right nutrients. A well-balanced diet with a healthy mix of protein, fruits and vegetables can help you feel strong and focused. Since caffeine can contribute to anxious jitters, you may want to cut down on coffee and other similar beverages.

Take a Breather

With so much going on in our busy schedules, everyone needs to take a breather at some point. Set aside time at the beginning or end of your day for self-care. Get off social media and do the things you love, whether it's a certain hobby, volunteering or spending time with loved ones. Taking time to meditate, or focus on your breath, for 10 to 15 minutes every day is also a great way to calm anxious thoughts.

Seek Professional Help

For many people, anxiety is usually a temporary feeling. However, if you start experiencing panic attacks often or more consistently than usual, seek professional help. There’s no shame in talking to a mental healthcare provider, like a counselor or therapist, who can help ease your worries. You can also see a psychiatrist who may prescribe you a medication that can help.

If you’re prescribed a medication to help you cope with anxiety, you might be worried about covering the cost of it. Fortunately, you have many options to help save on prescription drugs. With an Inside Rx discount card, you can save up to 80% on brand and generic medications. With more Americans facing unemployment and a loss of medical benefits during COVID-19, using a discount card can be a lifesaver. Even if you have insurance, check with your pharmacy to see if you could save more with an Inside Rx card.

You don’t have to feel like a victim to your anxiety. Instead, you can take control of other areas in your life, follow a few healthy habits and be empowered to know that you can thrive despite feeling anxious.