Ten Tips for Coping with Anxiety

If you are feeling more anxiety than usual during this time, you are not alone.

According to a recent poll, more than one-third of Americans (36%) say coronavirus is having a serious impact on their mental health and most (59%) feel coronavirus is having a serious impact on their day-to-day lives. The good news is that coping with anxiety is a skill that can be improved, and we are here to help you feel better with the Ten Tips for Coping with Anxiety Videos and PDF.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a reaction to stress that has psychological and physical features. The feeling of fear arises from the amygdala, a brain region that is in charge of emotional responses. As neurotransmitters carry the impulse to the nervous system, heart and breathing rates go up, muscles tense up, and blood flow moves from the abdominal organs to the brain.

What are the Signs of Anxiety?

Feeling nervous, restless or tense
Increased heart rate
Breathing rapidly (hyperventilating)
Having trouble sleeping
Having trouble concentrating
Sweating
Trembling
Feeling weak or tired
Experiencing gastrointestinal problems
An urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety

How is Anxiety Affecting You?

Experiencing anxiety in moderation is a normal part of life. Anxiety is a normal reaction to danger, the body’s automatic ‘fight-or-flight’ response that is triggered when you feel pressured, threatened, or are facing a challenging situation. When regulated, anxiety isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It can help you to stay focused, push you to action, spur problem-solving. But when anxiety is constant or overwhelming, and when it physically impacts you, it can interfere with daily activities. This is why it is so important to figure out what is causing your anxiety and root out the problem at the source.