Learning How To Cope With Your High-Functioning Anxiety

You've always been a hard worker for as long as you can remember. In school, you studied hard, completed your homework on time, and tried to do better with each class, quiz, test, paper, and anything that school threw your way.

After graduation, you applied that same dedication, attention to detail, and work ethic to your career. Now, you throw yourself into your work. Your career is part of your identity at this point. You don't really know where or who you would be without it.

You've always held everything together like a tight-knit ball. You've somehow been able to balance your school work, family, friends, career, home life, hobbies, workouts, and more.

But you'd be lying if you said you couldn't feel yourself slowing unraveling. You're on edge, stressed, and a little anxious. Let's learn more about how you can cope with high-functioning anxiety.

Repeat a Mantra

One of the best first steps to take when it comes to high-functioning anxiety is to first admit and acknowledge to yourself that what you're feeling is real and that it's completely normal and okay to be feeling this way. If you're feeling stressed, tell yourself that you're feeling stressed. If you're a little on edge, say that you're feeling worried or anxious. It's okay and even encouraged to admit to yourself how you're actually feeling. This small action can help you take ownership of those feelings and help you feel like you're back in control over them.

Take Care of Yourself

People with high-functioning anxiety can often dismiss their own wants and needs in order to tend to their work or other items on their to-do list. Make sure you're taking care of yourself. This means ensuring that you're eating healthy and well-balanced meals during the day and drinking enough water. Try to plan out your meals for the week by making weekly trips to the grocery store, meal prepping, and having your meals ready to go when it's time to eat.

Prioritize Your Sleep

Taking care of yourself also means prioritizing your sleep. Try to aim for at least eight hours of sleep each night. A lot of people with high-functioning anxiety don't get enough sleep. They have difficulty falling asleep at night or staying asleep during the night. You can try to come up with a sleep schedule and routine to make sure you're getting enough sleep for rest and recovery but to also function to the best of your ability each day. Try to go to bed at the same time each night and wake up around the same time each morning to help with this process.

Move Your Body

Moving your body doesn't mean you have to spend hours upon hours at the gym or running miles and miles around your town. Find a way to move your body in a way that works for you. Exercise is proven to help reduce stress and anxiety, but it's also a great way to naturally boost your mood. Here are just a few of the ways you can try to move your body:

●      Attend a class with a friend

●      Lift weights at the gym

●      Ride a bike

●      Rollerblade

●      Run around your neighborhood

●      Stretch

●      Walk outside

●      Yoga

Seek Additional Support

High-functioning anxiety is still anxiety. If it starts to impact your daily life and routine, it's important to seek help as soon as you can before your signs and symptoms get worse. Life requires a balance in all areas so that you can fully show up as the most true and authentic version of yourself. It's time to dedicate just as much to yourself and your overall mental health and wellness as you are to your career and other areas of your life. Don't delay in getting the help you need and deserve. Reach out to us today to set up a consultation for anxiety therapy.