5 Tips To Deal With Anxiety
- Melisa Baydemir
- Nov 21, 2019
- 3 min read
Anxiety.
Something that a lot of us deal with.
Something that can cripple you with pain, confusion and heartache.
Something that the enemy uses in our lives, but there is hope….
Jesus has the victory over anxiety. You see, He is the most powerful being in our universe.
Anxiety trembles at the name of Jesus….
You may think “well this is all well and good Melisa, but how do I actually cope with anxiety in my life? How can I make it to tomorrow when I’m panicking and I feel my chest tightening with every breath?”
2nd Peter 1:3 from the Bible says “Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God.”
God doesn’t rejoice when we feel anxious, in fact, God does not want anxiety in our lives. He wants us to live in the fullness of life and a life that is pleasing to Him just like this verse says. Another translation of this verse (NIV) says that “God has given us everything we need for a Godly life.”
God has given you all the tools you need inside of you to deal with anxiety. You are powerful because Jesus lives within you! So although I don’t have all the answers and cures to anxiety, I just wanted to share 5 things that have helped me during my journey.
Prayer. I know you’ve all heard this before, but prayer really does move mountains. A couple weeks ago I was in a group setting and began to feel anxious so I left and took myself off to a toilet and just prayed. I just sat on the floor of this bathroom and prayed to the God of the universe and I felt His peace wash over me. It didn’t mean that the thoughts went away straight away, but I felt peace in the midst of the anxious situation and that was enough for me to ask for help and to come out of the bathroom.
Breathing. Another thing that helped me when I was in the group setting. I take one big breath in and one big breath out and I repeat however many times I need to, sometimes more than 5 times. This helps because you are in control of your breathing. Often with anxiety you feel out of control, so to be able to control something like your breathing helps break the chains of the anxiety in that moment.
Grounding. These techniques have really helped me and others around me during panic attacks. Grounding means to re focus your mind on the now rather than all the thoughts racing in your mind during anxiety attacks. Here is a link to 30 grounding techniques: grounding techniques . The science behind anxiety is fascinating and the grounding techniques really help counteract the bodily functions going on. When something triggers your anxiety, the amygdala which is the emotional part of your brain detects something threatening to you and therefore responds with heavy breathing, panicking and shaking and with grounding, you can re focus your mind so that the anxiety fades.
5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Method. This is by far my favorite grounding method and I have used this myself and have seen others use it and it has been so helpful. During your anxiety attack ask yourself or get somebody alongside you who knows this technique to ask you to speak out: 5 things you see, 4 things you hear, 3 things you can feel, 2 things you can taste, and 1 thing you can smell. This helps take your mind off the anxiety and onto your surroundings which is very helpful.
People. In my own life especially, I am so thankful that during my times of anxiety I have had people around me who have helped me every step of the way. Having people in your life who know you and who accept you for who you are is so important. Show me your friends and I can tell you your future. Who you are friends with is so important especially during moments of anxiety, they can help you re-focus and remind you that you have the victory over the anxiety!!
Overall, I want to remind you all that you are VICTORIOUS.
Anxiety is tough, but our God is tougher. It is something that you can overcome. It is something that you can get through. It is something that you can conquer with Jesus on your side. Keep walking, keep seeking Him and keep your mindset as one of a victorious child of God. Anxiety cannot and will not ruin your life. You are too powerful for that.
I love you all xxxxx
Comments