6 Daily Habits to Ease Anxiety

Anxiety: the seemingly unconquerable feeling of being out of control. It creeps into every aspect of your life and feels debilitating. The good news is that not all hope is lost: you can live a life that isn’t ruled by worry. Here are six habits you can adopt to relieve anxiety and feel more in control of your life.

1. Tidy up.
   Take a moment to scan your surroundings. Is it tidy and organized, or chaotic and disorganized? Your physical environment can be an indicator of how you're feeling mentally. The sense of order in your surroundings has a way of influencing the clutter (or lack thereof) in your mind. Declutter your space - your mind will thank you later.

2. Create and stick to a routine.

   Anxiety thrives in chaos and uncertainty. Establish a daily routine that reduces anxiety. For example, give yourself plenty of time to wake up and get ready for the day so you aren’t rushing to get out the door. Eat meals at consistent times everyday. Implement a calming bedtime routine (turn off devices, meditate, read, etc.)

3. Make to-do lists.

   When your mind is racing 100 miles per hour, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the tasks you have to accomplish. You may find yourself stuck in analysis paralysis: unable to complete anything because you’re overthinking everything. Instead, get out a pen and paper and start writing. To-do lists give us structure and direction. Plus, it feels satisfying to cross tasks off the list.

4. Engage in a mindful hobby.

   Self-care is essential when it comes to managing anxiety. Hobbies can spark creativity, release emotion, and build confidence in yourself. Consider hobbies like drawing, painting, writing, walking or running, cooking, gardening, or reading to find your inner calm.

5. Set boundaries with social media.

   Are you prone to doom-scrolling and/or spending countless hours on social media? Take inventory of how 24-hour news cycles or constant comparison to others affects your mood. You may not be ready to quit social media altogether, but you can be mindful of how you consume it. Adjust time limits through your phone’s settings so you spend a specific amount of time on an app each day. Or, delete the app from your phone altogether and peruse Facebook, Instagram, etc., on your browser instead. How might this prohibit you from spending significant amounts of time on an app? Using the browser rather than the app creates friction (because let’s face it: the app is much more user-friendly), making the task more time-consuming and burdensome, which means you will spend less time on social media overall.

6. Get support.

   Be it from loved ones or a therapist, getting support from people you trust and who care about you is crucial in working through anxiety. Sharing your worries and experiences can feel validating and show you that you are not alone in your struggles. A therapist can teach you skills and give you the tools you need to manage feeling overwhelmed, so you can live a life that aligns with what is important to you: living in the moment.

Remember: Rome wasn’t built in a day. Managing anxiety will not happen overnight, but being intentional and mindful about how you construct your day will positively impact your mental health. If you’re ready to make a change, schedule your first therapy session today.