Anxiety relief is one reason why some people turn to drugs or alcohol. They always feel nervous or on edge about something. I suffer from anxiety and it is a medical issue. What are some of the ways that people can cope with anxiety without turning to drugs or alcohol?
Ugh I know man, used weed a lot to help with it but it just masked over it really and didn't help at all and just made it worse really. Try joining some club or group, find a trusted peer and talk out your anxieties and worries. I really suggest to pick up Yoga which is what I did, it really allows you to calm down and take control of your body/mind so you can control your anxiety.
Anxiety can cause substance addiction, and it's also a side effect. Drug addiction and anxiety go hand in hand, whichever way round it is. I know a girl who smokes marijuana because des always been nervous and a couple of joints relaxes her and she feels more confident after a smoke. I also know people that have developed anxiety because of weed so whichever way you look at it, the fact is, anxiety and drugs are a partner.
Anxiety was the main reason I turned to alcohol. It was my last resort and I was in a really bad place at the time. I've been alcohol-free for a couple of years now but I still suffer from social anxiety. Frankly, I don't "cope" with anxiety anymore. I stay alone for most of the time just so I don't get panic attacks, but from time to time I try to break out of my shell and try speaking with people.
- Learn mindfulness meditation. I've heard that it works. - Reduce your caffeine intake. Why? Caffeine is a stimulant that can trigger an anxiety attack - There are some herbs which could be beneficial if you can find them: chamomile for example makes someone feel calm. - Exercise a lot.
Meditation begins to change your entire outlook after a while, and you will never want to go back to your old habits and ways of thinking. It opens new doors and puts light onto things that might have lingered in the dark for a very long time. It's a gradual process, and it requires discipline, but its rewards are worth it. As for herbs, valerian, passionfruit, and Hypericum work very well.
Thanks for the tips. I have not quit drinking caffeine entirely, but have cut back and it is helping. I was most recently having panic attacks because of my OH and some personal issues we were dealing with, but I am learning to just take care of myself and not worry about him too much. Life will happen the way it is supposed to.
Thats really tough, anxiety is a pain, i know from experience. All i can suggest apart from medical help is get your eight hours of sleep but try to get up pretty early in the morning. Also maybe try to take up jogging, it helped me. Good luck
I know what you are talking about. I always felt intimidated by other people and was not able to talk to them or even able to dance unless I had a drink or two. This made me feel relaxed and less inhibited. I could dance and chat freely once I was a little high.
The problem is that I do not want to get on medication and become a zombie or anything like that, which can happen when you take calming medications. I am just totally freaked out by my current situation and wish there was more I could personally do. The only time I find any sort of peace is when I am hiking or at the beach and I can't do that all of the time.
That has always been my problem. I also suffer from anxiety attacks and paranoia, but I never tried drugs and other substances, rather, I just resort to writing my thoughts on a piece of paper, blurting my emotions through literature. Sometimes, I just listen to good music so I could regain my focus and sanity.
I am thankful that I have never found the need to turn to alcohol or drugs to deal with my anxiety. I have found that talking a nice long walk or just going to the beach and sitting on the shore has helped me over the years. When the anxiety is strong I need to be alone with my thoughts. I need to find a place I can go to get away from the rest of the world. A place where there is just me and my thoughts. I, also, find that writing helps, whether is be just writing out your thoughts, a poem, a song, etc. It is good to let it go. I suffer anxiety attacks quite often and it is a terrible feeling.
I use to have a bad case of anxiety but thankfully meditation took care of that. I also write a lot. I've been doing it since I was a teenager and recently got back into keeping my personal diary. Writing and meditation are a wonderful combination for me to deal with anxiety and to calm my mind. I use to have a friend was HORRIBLE when it came to her anxiety issues, but she had a host of other emotional problems to go along with it.
How has the medicine worked for you? I have thought about asking for a prescription, but I am afraid of how I would feel on it. Is it OK if I ask what kind you were prescribed?
I agree with you, I started to smoking as a way to deal with anxiety. And I think that what could help is going to therapy, talking of the things that makes you anxious with someone could be useful, and also the therapist could give you ways to deal with anxiety, which is great. Other thing that have worked for me is eating candies, or chewing bubblegum, it always work for me.
There are different teas you could drink, I would definitely avoid caffeinated beverages like someone else had said. I would start paying more attention to what triggers your anxiety, perhaps write it down and keep track of it. Look for rational ways to address all of the issues, and try to get to know yourself and keep yourself distracted too.
Any time I get anxious I try and break it down as to why I'm anxious. Instead of letting it get out of control I try to stop myself and ascertain what is at the root of the anxiety. Most of my anxiety comes from social situations, and from the long-held belief I had that I just wasn't worthy of other people's time or attention - the idea of "why would they want to spend time with me?" is often ringing out in my head. I always try to stop and remind myself that I am in fact worthy of people's time, and that I am only thinking I'm not because of the times in life when I felt down and out.
For me, being busy and having a trusted confidante would be quite an effective way to combat anxiety. If you can afford it, try talking to a counsellor or therapist.
I have had to manage anxiety my entire life! I find it very helpful to do any and all of the following: Recognize the signs of on-coming anxiety Practice breathing in intervals, breathing in for 7 seconds, holding your breath for 7 seconds, and exhaling for 7 seconds Reach out to those who support you Remember, it will end Do some yoga Take a bath Light candles/incense Find support in a pet Exercise! (I workout 4-6 times a week for 1 hour, and it greatly reduces my anxiety!) Remember that you are in control of your own life!
Thank you for all of those great tips. I find that controlled breathing helps me out the most. Just recognizing when attack is coming. I also remove myself from the situation so that I have a chance to cool down.