7 Tips and Tricks for Coping With Anxiety

For people who suffer from clinical anxiety, it can be difficult to explain the challenges it poses or to reach out for help. That’s often because the public is uninformed as to the major divide between the general sense of apprehension that is commonly referred to as anxiety and the nervous disorder characterized by excessive apprehension (usually presenting with panic attacks and/or compulsive behavior). But it’s important to learn how to talk to others --friends and family, as well as professionals -- about anxiety. It can also be very helpful to have a repertoire of skills and tools that assist you in managing your anxiety. Here are seven important tips for managing anxiety based on information from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America:

1. Put Yourself in Time-Out
   

   Know when it’s time to simply step back. Take a break and listen to music, do yoga or get a massage.

2. Eat Well-Balanced Meals
   

   Eat nutritious food and don’t skip any meals (as this can wreak havoc on chemical levels in your body).

3. Limit Alcohol and Coffee
   

   Both alcohol and caffeinated beverages can exacerbate anxiety. Water is a healthier choice, anyway.

4. Get Plenty of Sleep
   

   When you’re stressed, your body needs additional sleep. If your anxiety is getting worse, take a look at your recent sleeping habits.

5. Build an Exercise Routine
   

   Regular exercise is key in helping many people manage their anxiety. It releases important endorphins to improve mood and reduce stress.

6. Get Involved in Activities
   

   Volunteering or becoming involved in your community is a good way to step back from your daily responsibilities and see the big picture.

7. Know Good Is Good Enough
   

   Try to do well, not perfectly. That’s too much pressure for anyone to be under all the time.

Weighted Blankets for Adults With Anxiety

Most discussions of weighted sensory blankets focus on children with autism. That’s certainly an important topic -- one in 68 children (one in 42 boys and one in 189 girls) has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, and more than 3.5 million Americans are living with ASD. But weighted blankets aren’t useful only for children, and they aren’t only useful for people with ASD.

What is a weighted blanket’s connection to anxiety? Weighted blankets stimulate deep pressure and the production of calming endorphins in the body, meaning they can help people with anxiety to feel safe and relax. Plus, they only cost somewhere between $60 and $175, making weighted blankets for adults with anxiety a relatively inexpensive ongoing solution.

Do you have any experience with weighted blankets for adults with anxiety? Share your thoughts in the comments.