It can be quite a challenge for individuals who struggle with anxiety disorders to learn how best to manage anxiety. Fortunately, anxiety is one of the most treatable mood disorders people face. Millions of Americans every year seek anxiety treatment for issues ranging from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). At Insight Into Action Therapy, we understand how daunting anxiety can be, how it can affect personal and professional relationships, and sometimes lead individuals to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. We offer several anxiety treatment programs that provide clients with the resources and support they need to manage anxiety and eventually overcome it.
Approaches to Anxiety Treatment
In individual or group therapy, individuals struggling with anxiety can learn how to best manage the condition. One-on-one therapy helps individuals learn how to accept things out of their control. This can involve focusing on the present moment an individual is in through mindfulness therapy or meditation. Anxiety treatment using cognitive-behavioral therapy helps individuals learn to identify their triggers. Once these triggers are known, they can be avoided, but, more importantly, individuals can learn how to develop healthy coping mechanisms. Doing so reduces the risk of substance abuse.
In group therapy, individuals benefit from hearing how others have dealt with their anxiety. This can be an excellent way to discover that one isn’t alone. Building a support system can be key to learning how to manage anxiety.
How Exercise Can Help Manage Anxiety
Perhaps the best way to manage anxiety when outside a therapy program is exercise. However, exercise doesn’t have to anything too straining. Rather, simply keeping one’s body active and moving can help diffuse anxiety. Exercise has been proved to release endorphins through the body. This reduces the effects of anxiety. Also, exercise provides individuals with a sense of immediate control that turns one’s mood more positive. Simple exercises or activities can help alleviate the tensions springing from anxiety.
Jogging, walking, biking, or dancing daily for at least 30 minutes can be an excellent way to manage anxiety and reduce stress. The key is consistency. Rather than designing the perfect workout or having the perfect equipment, individuals need to simply get their body moving. Sometimes sticking to a schedule is made easier with a companion who will help you stick to a routine and whom you can encourage to stick to it also. This reciprocity not only makes maintaining a new exercise routine easier, but it also makes the process more enjoyable.
Insight Into Action Therapy
It doesn’t matter what kind of anxiety disorder you or a loved one is struggling with; it can cause severe disruption to everyday life. No one has to endure anxiety alone. At Insight Into Action Therapy, we’re prepared to help guide clients through how to manage anxiety. Aside from anxiety treatment, we offer other programs to address both mental health disorders and substance use issues such as:
- Relationship repair counseling: Personal and professional relationships become strained for numerous reasons. Our counseling program examines how individuals can repair and improve intimate relationships, family relationships, and work relations by addressing any substance use issues or mental health concerns.
- Dual diagnosis treatment: Often, individuals with mental health issues also struggle with the early stages of substance abuse. This program addresses both conditions, so clients maintain holistic wellbeing.
- Medication-assisted treatment: Some individuals benefit from the strict administration of medications to overcome withdrawal and cravings when in treatment for substance use disorder.
Learn more about managing anxiety and maintaining good mental health by contact Insight Into Action Therapy us at 703.935.8544.
