To cope with anxiety, Ferguson recommends relaxing. At once obvious and seemingly impossible, relaxation is key to reducing symptoms. Things like deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, visualization or meditaion are all easy things that can be done at a desk or in the loo to get centered and back on track. Ditch any perfectionist tendencies, while you're at it; cutting yourself some slack will go a long way to helping you relax.
Lifestyle changes can also dramatically affect the level of anxiety in your life. Like almost any other health problem, diet and exercise play a huge role in controlling anxiety. Cutting caffeine (which increases adrenaline), junk food, alcohol and other unhealthy foods from your menu can help you manage symptoms. Moderate exercise is also crucial, and while exactly what you do doesn't really matter, "Yoga is quite powerful; I think it's number one in terms of dealing with stress," Ferguson says.
Finally, aim for eight hours of shut-eye a night. "Sleep hygiene is important, because if you don't get an adequate amount of rest, you start out in an anxious mode, and anything else on top of that will just acerbate it," Ferguson says.
When to seek help
With the downturn of the economy, Ferguson says there has been an upswing in the number of people suffering from general anxiety disorder, noting many of these people are finding themselves unable to cope with their feelings.
If you're wondering if your anxious feelings are normal, Ferguson suggests asking yourself the following questions:
• How often am I experiencing these bouts of anxiety?
• Am I having more difficulty coping with my symptoms on my own?
• Is my anxiety interfering with my ability to sleep?
• Am I having trouble functioning in my daily life?
If you find yourself experiencing symptoms of anxiety more often, are unable to function normally or are experiencing symptoms over long periods of time (six months, for example), it's time to get help, as you might be experiencing a panic or anxiety disorder. Visit your family doctor to get a referral to a psychiatrist, find a psychologist in your area, or visit a mental health clinician.
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