Overcoming Anxiety: 5 Strategies That Worked for Me
I know what it’s like to live with constant anxiety, how difficult it can be to cope with, and the problems it creates. But I also know that anxiety can be reduced, your state of mind can change, and your quality of life can improve significantly.
Today, I want to share my experience, tell you about my journey, and the methods that helped me—methods you can start using today. They are simple, effective, and can be the first steps toward a calmer life.
Table Of Contents
My Journey From Anxiety to Mindfulness
I’ve always been an anxious person. From childhood, I was accustomed to overthinking, worrying, and playing out every possible scenario in my head. Of course, there were reasons for this: certain challenging life circumstances and emotional traumas at a very early age.
People around me often said things like, “Stop overthinking,” “Calm down,” “Don’t worry.” But these words felt hollow—I just couldn’t stop the endless stream of thoughts. Anxiety began to affect my health—I developed insomnia, constant tension, and at one point, it escalated into an anxiety disorder and depression.
I had to seek professional help. I went through medical treatment and then began working on myself on a deeper level. I tried different methods, studied psychology, practiced meditation, explored energy therapy, and much more. And I can confidently say: change is possible.
Today, my life is completely different. Anxiety still arises, but to a much lesser degree. Most importantly, I’ve learned how to work with it, let it go, and return to a state of calm.
5 Effective Ways to Manage Anxiety
I want to share the methods that helped me. These aren’t magical cures that will instantly remove anxiety. They are practices that require time but yield powerful results.
1. Journaling: Organizing Your Thoughts and Understanding Yourself
Journaling is a powerful tool for working with anxiety. When you write down your thoughts, it’s like freeing up space in your mind, helping you see the situation from a different perspective.
Regular journaling became a part of my life after I was inspired by the concept of “Morning Pages” from Julia Cameron. The method is simple: every morning, you write three pages of any thoughts that come to mind. It doesn’t have to be logical or well-written; the key is to unload what’s troubling you onto paper.
How does it help?
- You see your worries from an outside perspective and realize that many of them lack real substance.
- It clears your mind of unnecessary “noise,” which exacerbates anxiety.
- You identify recurring thought patterns that can be consciously addressed.
Even if you don’t journal daily, returning to this practice during anxious moments can help you manage it more effectively. For the best results, try writing morning pages every day for at least a month. You might be surprised at how this simple habit can transform your state of mind.
2. Meditation: Learning to Let Go of Thoughts
Meditation is one of the most effective practices for managing anxiety. It helps develop the skill of letting go of thoughts and staying in the present moment. It’s not about instantly achieving a magical state of calm; meditation is about gradually improving your inner state.
When I first tried meditation, it was incredibly difficult not to follow my thoughts. My mind felt like it was attacking me, dragging me back into the usual flow. But I kept practicing. At first, I could stay calm for just a few seconds, then a minute, and eventually longer. It’s like training a muscle—the more you practice, the better you get.
Why does meditation work?
- It helps you develop the ability to observe thoughts and emotions without getting involved in them.
- Over time, you become more resilient to external stressors.
- During moments of anxiety, meditation helps shift your focus from worrying to being present.
How to start? Dedicate just 5–10 minutes a day to meditation. Sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing. When thoughts arise, simply notice them and return to your breath and bodily sensations. Over time, you’ll build the ability to shift your focus from past or future worries to the present moment.
I also shared my experience of practicing mindfulness in this article: Eckhart Tolle A New Earth Review – 5 Benefits I Experienced
3. Processing Emotions: Releasing What’s Accumulated
Often, anxiety is a result of accumulated, unprocessed emotions. We’re used to suppressing them, trying to “solve” the problem with our minds. For example, if you feel fear, you might start analyzing how to avoid the situation causing it instead of allowing yourself to simply feel it.
Processing emotions means allowing yourself to experience what’s happening inside without trying to change it. It can be tough, but this is the only way to truly let go of emotions. They need to “flow through” us completely to leave our minds and bodies.
How to do this?
- Find a quiet place to be alone.
- Close your eyes and focus on your physical sensations. Where do you feel tension or discomfort?
- Allow yourself to simply observe these sensations without running away or analyzing them.
You’ll notice that over time, the intensity of the emotion decreases until it disappears entirely.
This process can be repeated as often as needed. Processing emotions helps release built-up tension and reduces the frequency of anxiety episodes.
4. Identifying the Root Cause of the Problem
Sometimes, anxiety is tied to internal problems and conflicts. These could be fears, unmet desires, accumulated disappointments, grudges, or contradictions we carry within ourselves. Internal conflicts create tension, which manifests as anxiety.
Working on the root causes helps eliminate the source of anxiety, not just its symptoms.
How to do this?
- Ask yourself questions: What exactly is making me anxious? Why do I feel this way? What am I afraid of losing?
- Try to recall moments from your past that may have shaped this fear or belief. Perhaps it was criticism in childhood or a negative experience.
If it’s difficult to do this on your own, seek help from a therapist or coach. A professional can help you delve deeper into the situation and find a solution.
5. Energy Work
Our body and emotions are closely connected to energy centers, particularly the root chakra, which governs the sense of safety. If there are blocks in this area, they may manifest as anxiety.
How to work with energy?
- Focus on the root chakra, located at the base of your spine.
- Imagine it filling with red light or warmth. You can do this during meditation.
- Engage in grounding practices: walk barefoot on grass or spend more time in nature.
Energy work helps clear blocks that keep you stuck in a state of anxiety. This process takes time but provides profound results.
Here, you can read about my experience and the results of working with the root chakra.
A Holistic Approach: Combining Methods
These five methods work on different levels, and their combination is the key to effectively managing anxiety. Start with one or two methods that resonate with you, and gradually incorporate the others.
Anxiety is your body’s way of signaling that it needs attention and care. Keep a journal, meditate, process your emotions, seek the root causes, and work on your energy. These steps will help you manage anxiety, feel calmer, and become more confident.
Remember: if anxiety significantly interferes with your life, seeking professional help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Your peace and well-being are worth fighting for.
Conclusion
Anxiety does not define you, and it is not an unchangeable state. With the right tools and a consistent approach, it is entirely possible to regain a sense of calm, clarity, and control in your life. Journaling, meditating, processing emotions, exploring root causes, and energy work are not just techniques—they are pathways to understanding yourself better and creating a sustainable sense of inner peace.
Remember, overcoming anxiety is a journey, not a race. Every small step you take is progress, and even when it feels difficult, it’s important to acknowledge your efforts and remain kind to yourself. Seeking professional help when needed is not a sign of failure—it’s a powerful act of self-care and courage.
Your peace of mind is worth the time and energy it takes to nurture it. By committing to these practices and giving yourself the attention you deserve, you’re opening the door to a more balanced, fulfilling, and joyful life. Change is not just possible—it’s within your reach.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward a calmer and more balanced life, I invite you to join me for an individual session. Together, we’ll uncover the root causes of your anxiety, explore the most effective methods for your situation, and create a personalized plan to help you find peace and confidence.