How to Cope with Anxiety | York Therapy Clinic

Anxiety can manifest in many ways, from racing thoughts and constant worry to physical symptoms such as stomach aches and shortness of breath. While it’s a normal human emotion, chronic anxiety can significantly impact your daily life.

As well as help from our anxiety therapists, there are also several effective strategies that you can incorporate into your daily routine in order to manage anxiety. Here are a few key steps:

Anxiety often thrives on distorted thinking patterns. To stop these thoughts in their tracks, it’s important to identify any negative thought spirals.

Instead of giving into the thoughts, start by considering whether these thoughts realistic, and can you reframe the situation in a more balanced way.

Techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and meditation can help calm your nervous system and ease anxiety symptoms.

If you’re unsure where to start, we provide mindfulness-based stress reduction, where our therapists will teach you effective relaxation techniques.

Regular exercise is a powerful tool for managing anxiety – aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on at least 5 days of the week, if you can. It’s also important to prioritise sleep hygiene, as a consistent sleep schedule promotes emotional regulation and reduces stress.

Avoidance can worsen anxiety in the long run. Start by making a list of situations that trigger anxiety, ranking them from least to most anxiety-provoking, before gradually exposing yourself to these situations in a safe and controlled way.

If anxiety is significantly impacting your daily life, our anxiety therapy in York is offered as a safe space to explore the root of your anxiety and develop personalised coping mechanisms.

Our experienced therapists in York utilise techniques including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based stress reduction to empower you to manage your anxiety and live a fulfilling life.