Helping Others Through Anxiety

By Kennedy Lane
Professional Writing Major, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

A crying child

Mental health is something that a lot of people have but do not talk about. It can be hard to know if someone is struggling with a mental illness. Anxiety is just one of many mental illnesses that people deal with on a daily basis. If you know someone who struggles with anxiety, here are some ways that you can help and support them in their times of struggle.

Learn Their Triggers

If you notice and pay attention to the things that cause them anxiety, you will have a better understanding of why they get anxious and when they get anxious. There may be some things that you can do to help change the situation to make it less stressful for them.

Get Permission to Help Them

There are times when people are going through situations of overwhelming anxiety where they just want to be left alone, in this case, the worst thing that you can do is to try to help them or hug them. If you are trying to help someone through a situation where they have anxiety, always ask them if you can help them first.

Remove Them From Stressful Situations

If you notice that someone is having a lot of anxiety in the situation that they are currently in, see if you are able to help them and remove them from the situation or distract them. Once they are removed from the situation that has been causing them anxiety, take a few deep breaths, they will start to feel better. Sometimes it just takes a little help for them to get out of a situation that causes them anxiety.

Help Them Find an Outlet

The best way to deal with anxiety, is to find the best ways that calm you down and that could be through many different ways.

Journaling

Write down your thoughts and put it all out on paper. Instead of replaying everything in your head and constantly worrying, put your thoughts down on paper.

Drawing

This is another great outlet to take your mind off of whatever is making you anxious and get creative.

Yoga

This is both great for your mind and body. Yoga is very healthy and will help your body feel great and will calm your mind.

Painting

This is another great creative outlet. Painting allows you to let your creativity flow and turn your anxiety into art.

Breathing Exercises

This is a tool to use in any situation where you are feeling even the least bit anxious. If you take deep breaths and focus on your breathing for a few minutes, you will be able to slow down your heart rate, calm down and get your anxiety under control.

Hiking

Getting outside and enjoying nature is a great way to get your mind off of the things that give you anxiety. Just enjoy the outdoors and the beauty that is all around you.

Start a Workout Plan

Exercise is a great way to help reduce anxiety. Working out allows you to both get your mind and body in shape.

Baking

This is another outlet that will help you to get your mind off of things. If you can do anything active that you have to think about to get your mind off of what you are currently anxious about, then it is probably a good outlet.

Make Them Feel Heard

When people are feeling anxious, sometimes all they want is someone to be there for them and to listen to them. Be a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on. It will really help if they know that they can trust you and go to you when they need help the most.

Love on Them

When someone is feeling anxious, just let them know that you are there for them and that you care about them. Reassure them that everything will be okay and that you still love them no matter what.

Do Not Try to Change Them

Helping others with anxiety can sometimes be very difficult and can start to get overwhelming. Have patience with them and know that they cannot control it. Do not try to change them or make them feel bad about their anxiety, because it is not their fault.

Hugs

This is a simple way of showing someone that you are there for them and that you care. It is a way of showing them that they can come to you.

If you are interested in exploring metal illness and emotional health, as well as serving others in need, consider earning your BS in Psychology from GCU’s interdisciplinary College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Click the Request More Information button at the top of this page to learn more.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.

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