Anxiety is common for individuals to experience around certain situations, such as having anxiety over a test or having anxiety over finances. This type of anxiety is normal; however, having constant anxiety is not normal.
Experiencing constant anxiety over situations is not normal and it is known as “Generalized Anxiety Disorder” (GAD). If you are experiencing severe anxiety on a daily basis that is interfering with your daily life, you need to let your primary care doctor know.
There is nothing to be ashamed of if you are struggling with anxiety. Help is out there, and the first step is by letting your doctor know. Whether you struggle with occasional anxiety or chronic anxiety, here are five tips for managing anxiety.
1. Praying to God
If you struggle with anxiety, you are not alone. I personally struggle with generalized anxiety disorder and over 40 million adults in America struggle with an anxiety disorder. The first tip to managing anxiety is praying to God.
While anxiety disorders are mental illnesses, the Bible tells us to give all of our worries over to God. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Similarly, the Apostle Paul says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Praying to God can help relieve your anxiety. To be able to speak out loud what you are feeling and pour your heart out to God helps. Many people bypass praying to God for their anxiety because they think it does not make a difference, but it does.
God knows what you are feeling, and He wants to give you relief. Pray to God and tell Him all of your anxieties, worries, and fears. He will cover you with the grace of His love, peace, and comfort.
2. Meditating On God’s Word
A second tip for managing anxiety is to meditate on God’s Word. Reflecting and pondering on God’s Word will help you know what God is trying to tell you. The only way God speaks to us in the present day is through His Word.
The Bible is everything we need to learn about God and grow in our Christian walk. When you are feeling anxious, meditate on His Word.
Psalms is a great book to meditate on when you are feeling anxiety creep into your bones. In the midst of our anxiety, we can relate to the psalmist when he says, “Hear me and answer me.
My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught” (Psalm 55:2).
Likewise, later in this same psalm, the psalmist declares, “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken” (Psalm 55:22). Meditating on God’s Word can help you manage your anxiety and bring serenity to your soul.
3. Get Out into Nature
A third tip to manage anxiety is to get out into nature. Being out in nature can help relieve anxiety and stress. I make it a priority to take a walk each day to help with my anxiety and it does wonders.
Activities out in nature can be walking, hiking, bicycle riding, roller skating, swimming, or running. If sports aren’t your thing, you can do other things out in nature, such as painting, playing instruments, or reading.
As long as you are getting outdoors, you are taking steps to help relieve your anxiety. There are great benefits to getting out into nature and you will thoroughly enjoy your time away from the ever-present urgent generation we are living in today.
It can be hard to pull yourself away from the responsibilities of life, but to help with your anxiety, it is vital to try to get out into nature every day.
4. Listen to Worship Music
A fourth tip for managing anxiety is to listen to worship music. Worship music has a calming effect upon your soul that can quiet the anxieties rushing through your mind.
My personal favorites are Hillsong United, Hillsong Young and Free, and We Are Messengers, but you can choose what you like best.
Worship music causes us to reflect upon God and His goodness. Each time I play a worship song, God’s love comes washing over me. If you are struggling with anxiety today, try listening to your favorite worship song and see how it helps.
If you are not familiar with worship songs, you can try one of the Christian bands I listed above, or you could search the Internet for a Christian band you think you would enjoy.
I have noticed the slower, calmer songs help with my anxiety, particularly the acoustic versions of the songs. Maybe the slower songs will help you too. Music truly can be medicine for the anxious soul.
5. Take Time to Rest
A fifth tip to manage anxiety is to take time to rest. It can be extremely hard to take time to rest, but it is vital for your physical and mental wellbeing. God didn’t create us to work all the time. He knows we need time to rest and recharge.
In a fast-paced, media-obsessed world, it can be hard to relax and disconnect from the digital world. Even though the media world is extremely popular today, it actually can give us more anxiety.
The never-ending notification, emails zooming into your inbox, and instant messenger constantly sending you messages can cause anyone to feel overwhelmed. It is important that we take time to rest and get away from social media and our electronic gadgets.
Our mobile phones are extremely helpful and useful, but they can also be a source of huge stress. Put the phone down, turn off the computer, and get up from the television.
Do something you enjoy that is restful for you. Read a book, draw, or write a story — just do something that brings your soul rest. You deserve time to rest and relax.
Managing Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are tricky conditions to treat; however, they can be managed through therapy, medication management, and self-help measures. If you feel you have been having anxiety to the point that it interferes with your daily life, let your doctor know or a trusted individual.
Anxiety is not something that will magically go away. Managing anxiety is a long ongoing process. I have been struggling with anxiety for over 10 years and I know it is not an easy road. I have struggled with panic attacks, social event anxiety, and anxiety over nothing.
Maybe you can relate to one, two, or three of these. Anxiety is not something that should be made fun of, nor should others think those with anxiety are cowards because a person is not a coward if they struggle with anxiety.
Many individuals who have phobia-related anxieties might be afraid to do an activity because it reminds them of a traumatic event that caused their anxiety.
If you do not personally struggle with anxiety, I encourage you to research more about anxiety and to educate yourself on the symptoms. Anxiety is a hard mental condition to manage, but with God and a healing heart, you can manage your anxiety.
For further reading:
What Does the Bible Say about Anxiety?
God’s Sovereignty in Times of Fear and Anxiety
How to Deal with Anxiety as a Christian
Photo Credit: ©iStockGettyImagesPlustadamichi
