What is Anxiety and How to Manage It: Practical Tips for Mental Health | Episode 37

What is Anxiety?Anxiety is more than stress—it’s a prolonged sense of worry, fear, or apprehension, often without a clear trigger.Physical signs: racing heart, sweating, tension, restlessness.Emotional signs: constant worry, irritability, difficulty focusing.Example: Feeling nervous before a big presentation is stress; persistent worry for weeks about events that may never happen is anxiety.Practical Tips to Manage AnxietyDeep Breathing ExercisesBox breathing: inhale 4 sec → hold 4 sec → exhale 4 sec → hold 4 sec.Helps regulate the nervous system and calm racing thoughts.Grounding Techniques5-4-3-2-1 exercise: notice 5 things you see, 4 things you touch, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell, 1 thing you taste.Brings focus back to the present moment.Mindfulness and MovementShort walks, yoga, or stretching can help release tension and reduce anxious energy.Thought JournalingWrite down anxious thoughts and challenge them: “Is this fact or fear?”Helps create perspective and reduces overwhelm.The New Mental Health Podcast Episode aimed to be a resource helping you improve your mental health. To schedule a counseling appointment with Santos Counseling, click the link below:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://santoscounseling.com/