Techniques for Anxiety from Therapy

When anxiety is really starting to take a toll on our lives, therapy can provide skills that help us regain control over anxiety and feel more confident when our anxiety shows up. While medications can be a helpful tool in coping (check out this blog for more info about medication for anxiety), there are a handful of other techniques we can learn in therapy. Let’s take a look at some of the techniques therapy can offer. 

Lean into Anxiety 

It can feel a bit backwards to think about giving more attention to the most uncomfortable sensations we feel, but when we give anxiety the space it needs, we often decrease the physical and mental aspects of it. Anxiety is trying to tell you something - whether it’s true or not - and it becomes more uncomfortable when we continue to ignore it. By leaning into the anxiety, we can explore what your body is trying to tell you and how to understand that message. 

Recognize Stress Signals

Once we’ve learned to lean into the anxiety, we can learn how to identify the signs of anxiety before it peaks. It’s easy to recognize the 10 out of 10 anxiety - you might be crying, shaking, feel sick or the need to escape. We want to learn how to identify when we are a 3 or a 4 out of 10 and gain skills to manage the anxiety so it doesn’t turn into a 10. 

Deconstruct the Thoughts

The racing and never ending thoughts that come with anxiety feel incredibly real and likely to happen. When we break the thought down to more basic pieces and explore the underlying fears, we often realize the threat our brain is trying to protect us from is not truly a threat. 

Gain Coping Skills 

Coping skills can look like breathing, journaling, increased self-care - whatever helps you recharge and feel nourished. Coping skills also include techniques to manage anxiety in the moment, such as grounding exercises and increased mindfulness. 

Recognize When We Need Support

Exploring who we can lean on for support and working to build our support system is an essential component of self-care. Grounding and coping skills are always important to practice, but sometimes we need human connection to work through the anxiety! 

If some of these techniques sound like they would be helpful ways to manage your anxiety, reach out to schedule your free 15 minute consultation today to get started with therapy for anxiety in Dublin, CA today.