Feb 07


Anxiety is a condition experienced by almost everyone. Certain stressful situations create an uncomfortable feeling, an apprehension and tension which can usually be handled. This feeling goes away with the situation. With basic breathing and relaxation techniques, it is possible to minimize the feeling and come back to normal.

However, if the feeling of anxiety continues and persists even in normal day to day situations, it is time to go in for help. A person suffering from severe anxiety exhibits various symptoms including unnatural worry over small things, a feeling of suspicion and mistrust, insecurity and severe mood swings, feeling apprehensive and even suicidal under extreme situations, etc.

How to control anxiety is a question many people suffering from the condition keep asking themselves. Apart from treatment and drugs, there are various other methods one can follow in order to bring the condition under control. One of them is mastering your breath. As we notice, when we are stressed, we tend to breath shallow. Mild alterations in the way you breathe can help calm the mind.

As you recognize the onset of anxiety attack, the first thing to be done is to deepen your breath. If you are apprehensive about a future situation, then you can plan and work on your breath, deepening it and calming your mind before you go in to face the situation. With shoulders and back straight, take a deep breath right up to the stomach, hold for a second and breathe out. After you breathe out, again hold for a second and keep lungs empty before you breathe in again. With practice, you will find that this technique is an excellent answer to the question – how to control anxiety.

Another simple method to deal with anxiety is to follow the simple grounding technique. This is nothing but giving your body the due attention required. As you experience the onset of an anxiety attack, usually you may go through a phase of physical disassociation. An anxious person may feel he is not connected to his body and has lost control. Take a minute, stand in a place, bend your knees, feel your skin, identify areas of tension in the body and massage for some time. You can focus on areas that require attention and send energy to that area by calming your breath and holding your attention there.

Notice how your feet are firmly grounded and feel the texture of the surface you are standing on. Just watch all that is happening to your body and give due respect. Perfecting this technique with practice can help you effectively reduce anxiety symptoms and this is an excellent answer to the question – how to control anxiety.

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