We all suffer from anxiety at times. Being anxious is a normal reaction to stressful situations, but when these feelings get in our way, they should be a reason for concern. If you know someone who is currently going through a difficult time and is feeling anxious, you may be able to help them. Being there when your loved ones are too overwhelmed to think straight is important, but not always helpful. We are giving you some easy tips to guide you when helping anxious people.
Empathise
We all have had bad moments and know how difficult it can be to get out of the vicious cycle. Our minds are trained to forget all the bad details, and we are glad of that! However, this makes it more difficult for us to understand what others are struggling with at times. Try to be compassionate and don’t jump to conclusions too quickly when someone tells you how they feel.
Be available
For people suffering from anxiety, it’s helpful to know they have someone they can rely on. Make yourself available to them. Reassuring them of your willingness to help can really make a difference but make sure you understand how and when they need you!
Remember when you learned something you feared? Like riding a bike for instance? You probably felt safer when your mum or dad held the bike to stop you from losing your balance. Or maybe this annoyed you, and you just wanted them to be there to watch you. In both cases, their support made you feel better and knowing that you could trust them to do what you needed at the time was crucial.
Think about how your family and friends need you when they are feeling anxious, and show them you are reliable and willing to help.
Learn about anxiety
Researching how anxiety affects our life can also help you understand how to help your friends/family. Read about causes, conditions and how our brain functions when these feelings to come up with a better picture of what is happening to them.
Motivate them to do something new
Trying something new can be a huge distraction. Do they have a dream or goal they have never managed to get around to do? Well, this could be the time! Motivate them to exercise, cook something new, travel… Routine is the biggest enemy here, so be creative and find something they may want to try.
Encourage them to seek help
If they are not improving or feeling better after a while, they may need to get professional help. Encourage them to talk with a therapist about their feelings.
Being busy, or not feeling motivated to go out is no longer a problem with online video counselling services like Mynurva. From the comfort of their home, they could talk to a UK registered therapist and get the help they need. No need to wait for a doctor’s appointment either!
