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Anxiety is a condition triggered primarily by some form of stress. Almost everyone experiences feelings of anxiety from time to time, but some people experience it on a long-term basis.
Doctors refer to chronic anxiety as anxiety disorder, a common mental disorder that affects over 40 million US adults aged 18 or older each year.
Symptoms include nervousness, a sense that something bad will happen, rapid breathing, pounding heartbeat, trembling, and sweating. In some cases, there’s a feeling of dread or immense fear that is out of proportion to the actual danger. Sometimes, no danger is posed.
Since chronic stress and anxiety have the potential to disrupt everyday routines, it’s useful to have a list of coping skills handy that can make life easier. Keep reading to discover some simple steps/ideas that can leave you feeling better to work, socialize, and enjoy your close relationships.
What are Coping Skills?
Coping is the ability to deal with stress and the unwanted challenges life throws at you. The thoughts and behaviors you rely on to manage stressful situations and negative emotions are called coping skills or strategies.
The thoughts and behaviors are conscious and voluntary and are different from reactions or defense mechanisms. Each person has a different coping style in response to stress, whether positive (healthy/adaptive) or negative (unhealthy/maladaptive).
Positive coping behaviors, as explained in the list of coping skills, are intended to help you handle negative feelings without making matters worse. Psychologists also encourage proactive coping as a stress-management strategy to neutralize stress and related anxiety symptoms in the future.
Factors that Influence Adult Coping Styles
Our default method of tackling stress often links back to how our caregivers, teachers, and others in our social environment handled difficulties around us as children. Since we were highly impressionable, we couldn’t help but copy their coping styles, whether positive or negative.
For example, if you saw your parents get aggressive or drink alcohol when they were angry or worried, you might do the same. You learned that that was the proper way to manage negative feelings and situations. Some parents withdraw or neglect themselves or their children.
In adulthood, our personality traits can create a tendency to respond in unhelpful ways. However, we can take the initiative to use positive thoughts and behaviors to change the outcome of how we feel. Factors that influence the change include developing emotional intelligence and a greater sense of self-awareness.
71 Healthy Ways to Deal with Stress and Calm Your Anxious Mind
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), long-term anxiety, or anxiety disorders, can fall into five major categories as follows:
GAD is the most common type of anxiety. 6.8 million US adults are affected by GAD. People with GAD worry throughout the day about everyday life, which makes it harder to concentrate at work or finish daily duties.
Whether you’re looking to manage occasional anxiety or chronic symptoms, there’s a chance the list of coping skills will provide relief. The simple methods involve working your body and brain or shifting your thoughts and mindset. Incidentally, they can also work to manage depression symptoms if you’re diagnosed with both anxiety and depression.
1. Question your feelings
Ask yourself “Why do I feel this way?” Bringing awareness to the symptoms or feelings might change your outlook and help improve your mood.
2. Slowly count to ten
Counting from one to 10 or higher takes your mind off your troubles and focuses it on the activity itself. Increase relaxation by counting with your eyes closed.
3. Vent to someone you trust
Offload to someone who won’t judge you but will validate your feelings. You’ll feel “lighter” as the tension and pent-up negative emotions subside.
4. Think happy thoughts
Let your mind drift to happy times or think of positive things that could happen in the future. Reframe the situation to see it in a positive light.
5. Take time out
Stop and rest your body to regain your physical and emotional energy. If you like, just sit in a quiet corner and do nothing.
6. Take a nap
If it’s practical, settle into bed for some shut-eye. It’s my favorite way to de-stress and recharge. You’ll wake up feeling energized, relaxed, and in a better mood.
7. Socialize
Isolating increases frustration and anxiety. Getting out for fun activities with friends can give you a renewed sense of purpose.
8. Know the triggers
Anxiety is triggered by seeing certain people, stress, caffeine, or lack of sleep. Knowledge of what causes an anxiety episode can help you prepare mentally to manage your response.
9. Use breathing techniques
Taking deep breaths is thought to control the body’s fight-or-flight system responsible for making you feel stressed, fearful, or nervous.
10. Get some sunlight
If you have anxiety and depression, morning sunlight can help by increasing a hormone (serotonin) in the brain responsible for regulating mood.
11. Take a walk
Walking is a form of relaxation exercise that helps reduce the level of stress hormones, whether it’s done on a treadmill or outdoors in a scenic environment.
12. Play sports
Activities like golf, tennis, or volleyball require focus that can help take your mind off everyday stressors. Stress hormone levels also go down when you’re active.
13. Dance
Turn on your favorite playlist and get moving. Dancing can be used to let out negative emotions. You’ll sweat, burn calories, and bring stress under control.
14. Read a good book
It’s easy to lose yourself in the intrigue of a fictional story. You’ll be so caught up with what’s going to happen next that you won’t realize how relaxed you are.
15. Color in a book
Coloring helps calm the area of the brain responsible for feelings of fear. It puts you in a meditative state and helps counteract racing thoughts.
16. Keep a journal
Write out your thoughts, feelings, and what you think triggers the conditions. You might discover that negative thinking is a trigger and determine how to manage those thoughts.
17. Write a letter
Writing allows you to express feelings related to an unhappy event or past trauma. Write about something positive, like your best day ever, to combat sadness or low mood.
18. List of your positive qualities
Once you’ve done that, read each item aloud. Hopefully, reminding yourself of how amazing you put a smile on your face.
19. Make a gratitude list
Spelling out the things you’re most grateful for in the midst of adversity serves as a reminder that life isn’t all that bad.
20. Write a blog post
Penning your thoughts can be quite therapeutic, actually. It’s easy to get lost in a topic you’re passionate about, like “How to Manage Anxiety.”
21. Make a greeting card
Cutting and designing paper to make a card is a therapeutic way to quiet racing thoughts and anxiety about the future.
22. Write a poem
How about a poem related to how resilient you are? Including positive attributes about yourself serves as a reminder that you have what it takes to overcome adversity.
23. Rip paper into pieces
You may rather punch a pillow or two to ease the stress from anger and resentment. Take it out on a few sheets of paper instead. Just get to ripping.
24. Use a stress ball
Doctors say the motion of squeezing a stress ball helps relax clenched muscles and allow your body to release tension. The coping tool also releases anxiety and increases concentration.
25. Practice yoga
Yoga calms and clears your mind while relaxing your body. Feel-good hormones produced during this form of exercise also boost mood. Learn how to meditate.
26. Meditate
Use meditation to refocus your attention on something calming or pleasant. You should feel a sense of calm and balance.
27. Drink herbal tea
Herbal tea drinking for anxiety and stress goes back centuries. Herbs like lavender and chamomile contain natural ingredients that calm the nervous system.
28. Eat a healthy snack
Stress.org recommends stress-relieving snacks such as dark chocolate, edamame, berries, and avocados. These foods contain mood-balancing magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants.
29. Challenge negative thoughts
Negative thought patterns can have you stuck in a stress and anxiety loop. Ease your mind by questioning the validity of those thoughts. Reframe them to see the positive side.
30. Resist ruminating
Dwelling on the past prolongs the negative feelings attached to it. Accepting you cannot control what happened helps you let go of unwanted and intrusive thoughts.
31. Stop catastrophizing
Stop yourself from expecting the worst outcome by focusing on ‘what is‘ rather than ‘what if,’ and don’t attach meaning to your thoughts.
32. Use positive self-talk
Tell yourself something positive that will help you get through the setback. “I am safe,” and “I am calm and at ease” are affirmations you can repeat.
33. Don’t sweat the small stuff
Letting minor problems irritate you is a recipe for ongoing stress and anger. Remain calm and balanced and allow some things to work themselves out.
34. Establish firm boundaries
Simply tell people which action of theirs you aren’t comfortable with and won’t tolerate. Boundaries keep you from getting anxious and worked up when they come around.
35. Ditch toxic people
Block, delete, or go no contact with those who won’t respect your boundaries. Seems drastic, but distancing yourself helps protect your mental and physical well-being.
36. Celebrate the small wins
Pat yourself on the back for every accomplishment, no matter how small it seems. Showing self-compassion and self-love in this way ought to make you feel better about yourself.
37. Let go of the need for control
It’s impossible for you to be in control of everything to feel at ease. That need for certainty only creates more anxiety.
38. Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of bringing awareness to the present moment. It prevents your thoughts from drifting to unpleasant scenarios.
39. Delegate work
Splitting up household chores so you aren’t taking on the entire workload will prevent you from feeling exhausted and upset.
40. Encourage independence
Teach household members to clean up after themselves around the house. That gives you more time to relax.
41. Know your limits
Going overboard with work increases stress levels and the chance of making mistakes. Stop and pick things back up later.
42. Go for a walk
Walk around your home or at a local park. Focus on nature to keep yourself from drowning in negative thoughts.
43. Jog in place
Use this coping skill as an alternative if it’s not practical to go outdoors. It has the same beneficial effects as running.
44. Sing a song
Singing helps improve breathing and lower cortisol levels, which helps relax your body and mind.
45. Play an instrument
Music from a guitar or piano lowers blood pressure and heart rate and lets you refocus your thoughts.
46. Take a warm shower
Warm water therapy helps relieve tense muscles. Close your eyes and feel the water caress over your skin.
47. Call a friend
Sometimes you gotta ring up a friend to vent or just talk to redirect your thoughts.
48. Hug a loved one
Hugging is an act of affection that’s quite relieving. You’ll feel close, wanted, and loved.
49. Pet your dog or cat
Dogs and cats serve as companions if you’re experiencing loneliness and anxiety. Stroking their fur provides comfort and relief.
50. Help someone in need
Research shows that acts of kindness benefit the giver, too. Benefits include a sense of satisfaction and happiness.
51. Visualize your favorite place
Is it a beach in Hawaii where you watched the sunrise? Forget your worries by reminiscing about the breathtaking scenery.
52. Have set daily routines
Routines give you something to do throughout the day and keep your mind occupied.
53. Play a brain game
Whether crossword or scrabble, brain games distract you from distressing thoughts.
54. Watch your favorite show
I recommend a show that makes you laugh or immerse yourself in something fictional.
55. Read funny memes
There’s no shortage of memes online to crack yourself up. Laughing aids in muscle relaxation and combat anxiety symptoms.
56. Focus on an object
It could be a pen or a teacup. Look at it, touch it, move it. The goal is to shift your focus to something else.
57. Close your eyes and relax
Lay your head back on a chair, close your eyes, and let the heaviness drop from your body. Breathe deeply.
58. Listen for birds chirping
Step outside and hang with the birds in your backyard as I do. The sounds of nature and birds chirping happily have a way of lifting my mood.
59. Organize something
Organize anything, from your desk, room, or closet to your pantry. Organizing requires movement and focus, which helps you to calm down.
60. Wash dishes by hand
Ditch the dishwasher and scrub those dirty dishes individually. Keep your mind centered on the activity at hand.
61. Garden
Caring for plants can provide a sense of purpose. You’ll feel uplifted seeing a new leaf or flower blooming.
62. Cook or bake
Turn your attention to baking or cooking your favorite meal. Close your eyes and enjoy the aroma that fills the air.
63. Compliment yourself
When was the last time you said something pleasing to yourself? Look in the mirror. Remind yourself how beautiful and strong you are.
64. Groom yourself
Put on your favorite outfit, do your makeup, and style your hair. You deserve to look and feel amazing.
65. Reminisce on old photos
It’s time to pull out those old albums or dig into your digital archive. Select pics that remind you of happy moments, like your graduation or the birth of your child.
66. Draw funny cartoons
Drawing is a form of creativity and is often recommended by therapists as a stress reliever. Funny cartoons may make you laugh your negative feelings away.
67. Read inspirational quotes
Restoring your balance and peaceful state of mind can be as easy as reading positive quotes for anxiety and stress. Here’s one. “Inner peace begins the moment you choose not to allow another person or event to control your emotions.” – Pema Chodron
68. Write down a new goal
Maybe things aren’t working out right now. Set another goal that can help you achieve the same or even bigger success.
69. Practice gratitude
It’s easy to overlook all the positive things that happened to you. Stop to acknowledge them and how they’ve made your life better. That ought to put a smile on your face.
70. Make peace with the past
Accept the things you cannot change. The past is gone. Let go and find your joy again.
71. Talk to a therapist
Maybe it’s time to talk with a therapist if your list of coping skills isn’t helping. Your therapist can provide other stress-management tools and anxiety medication if necessary.
Final Thoughts on List of Coping Skills for Stress and Anxiety
It’s true that stress and occasional anxiety are a normal part of life. The beautiful part is you have the power to reduce the impact on your daily life and mental health by choosing healthy ways of coping.
Best of all, the activities listed are simple and easy to do. You don’t have to spend money or go out of your way to feel better. Mindfulness is one of my favorites. It lets me live consciously aware of my thoughts, emotions, and environment.
I’m able to let go, worry less, and live more. I hope these 7 5-Minute Mindfulness Activities to Quickly Calm Yourself will help you too.
