My Top 5 Tips for Dealing with Anxiety

I’ve been dealing with anxiety from most of my childhood into the present-day. It’s an ongoing battle, but one that has become far more manageable and has almost faded into the background of my everyday life over time. I attribute this progress to these five strategies and practices I’ve come to implement in dealing with my anxiety, and ones I recommend to all those who ask my advice on the topic.

I’ve been meaning to write on this topic for a while, and since it’s the new year, I thought now would be the perfect time. I think I’ve finally found the words.

To be clear, I am by no means an expert on the topic of anxiety and mental health disorders. I simply have first-hand, long-term experience with it myself and want to share some helpful tips and tricks that have helped me cope and deal with it over the years, in the hopes of helping others who might be going through some of the same things that I have.

That said, here are my top five tips for dealing with anxiety:

1. Prayer & Faith

I’m going to start with a hefty one…

By far, the most important and truly helpful thing in combatting my anxiety has been the development of my faith over the years. It’s sort of an ambiguous concept when you’re a kid, and even when you’re an adult. It’s not something tangible, something you can conventionally see or feel, but that doesn’t make it any less powerful.

Now, I will be the first to say that my faith journey has certainly been tumultuous, filled with highs and lows, moments of joy and strength, and others of loneliness, anger, and crumbling depression. It’s never easy. It takes great dedication, but it is so, so important.

Spending time in scripture, learning more about the character of Christ, going to church, dedicating time to prayer, truly coming to terms with the deeper truths of humanity, our souls, and our nature, and how much more is waiting for us on the other side of this world, has made the worries and fears that consume me on earth seem insignificant in comparison.

There is such comfort and strength to be found in the One who sees us, loves us, and created us. The One who came down to earth, in human form and flesh, and faced the worst of it, all so that we might live and come to know life after this world.

It has put so much into perspective, remembering that we are not of this world, or bound to it and its ways. That we are so much more, and there is so much more waiting on the other side of it. Dare I say, “The Other Side of Fear???”

We have this small window, this gift of life and time on earth. When I remember how fleeting it is, and what it is truly all about, a sense of ethereal calm washes over me and seems to smooth out the worries and anxiety that plague me. It’s a deep knowing that all will be well, everything will work out exactly as it is meant to, and ultimately, that there is One who loves us far more than we could ever comprehend.

Here are a few verses I always carry with me and call upon in moments of anxiety:

Luke 1:37 – For nothing will be impossible with God.

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Proverbs 3:5–6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Oftentimes, I'll repeat them over and over until all the other noise is drowned out.

2. Find a Creative Outlet

There is so much to be said about taking your mind off of the relentless thoughts, fears, and worries, and channeling that energy into something beautiful and creative instead.

I think a lot of people simply don’t try their hand at creative hobbies like drawing, painting, writing, or music because they think they don’t have talent or that they’re “not good enough.” But it’s not about that at all.

What you create doesn’t have to be “good” by any standard. It simply has to take your mind out of a dark place and into a creative, colourful, calm, expressive space.

Things as simple as colouring, to creating your own drawings and paintings, writing, playing music, even cooking or baking. Whatever it is that you find the most helpful, fulfilling, and FUN.

The opportunities are truly endless, and I cannot recommend finding a creative outlet enough.

3. Talk About It

Talking about it is actually one of the hardest things to do, at least in my experience.

For so long I quietly struggled and fought, but things did not start getting better until I opened up about what I’d been dealing with and found love and support from those around me, those who have come to comfort me and carry me through these tough times.

Of course professional help is available, but for me, simply talking about it with those I know, love, and trust the most has done wonders. It is so incredibly transformative to know that you are not alone, and to know that someone understands what you’re going through.

I’ve been blessed with amazing parents and a partner who have been my rocks and anchors in this world. Who have held me, wiped the tears from my eyes, talked me through difficult things, and assured me that all will be well. That the worry, fear, and pain are not forever.

It’s actually the comforting and wise words from my father that have inspired this entire book idea and journey, and have carried me through so many anxious times:

“All your hopes and dreams are on ‘The Other Side of Fear.’”

Sometimes all you need is a hug, a listening ear, a shoulder to lean on. Not letting these thoughts fester and stew in your mind, but getting them out, taking power over them, and having someone there to hold your hand through it all when your strength alone is not enough. Because inevitably, we will have weak moments and we will falter.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to have someone in your corner, even if it’s hard to be vulnerable and open up about your struggles.

There is no way out but through.

4. Keep Yourself Busy

I find that the worst thing you can do is sit, stew, and wallow in your anxiety. It truly will consume you. I’ve been there. I've spiraled into panic attacks, gasping for air, fighting tears. As I’m sure you can understand, I strongly do not recommend this path.

Now, that’s not to say that in keeping yourself busy and distracted you run away from your anxiety or shove it under the rug and don’t deal with it. Not at all.

It’s more about reclaiming your mental space and occupying it with things you enjoy, goals you have, positivity, and goodness, rather than giving into the darkness and worry.

It can be hard to motivate yourself to get out and do things when you’re in an anxious state. It’s almost as if you want to curl up in a ball and spiral and let it have you. But you simply cannot let it win.

So as hard as it is, take a deep breath, get up, dust yourself off, and go enjoy your life.

For me, this takes the form of listening to music I love, spending time with friends and family who truly fulfil me and enrich my life, being silly and laughing and dancing, playing guitar, painting, drawing, reading books (and writing them too), crocheting, spending time in the sun, travelling, baking, getting my body moving, having a yap session over iced coffees, exploring and discovering new tiny shops and cafes, roller skating, watching a good movie or show, deep and meaningful conversation, and accomplishing goals I set for myself.

The possibilities are endless!

So I encourage you to find those things that keep you busy and bring you joy, no matter how big or small, and pursue them with all your heart. Get out of your own way. Don’t let the anxiety win.

This life is so very fleeting. What are we doing if we’re not filling it with things we love and enjoying it to the max?

5. The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Method

The 5-4-3-2-1 grounding method is a quick technique I have found very helpful in grounding me back in the present moment when I feel the anxious thoughts are winning and I’m spiraling into panic. It is one I recommend to anyone I know with anxiety, and I have found it tremendously helpful to have a “quick fix” in my back pocket for those extra anxious moments.

It works like this:

Look around the room or whatever space you are in, take a few deep breaths, and find:

5 things you can see 

4 things you can touch 

3 things you can hear 

2 things you can smell 

1 thing you can taste

The reason this method is so effective is because it shifts your focus from anxious and panicked thoughts back to your surroundings and the present moment, reminding you that all is well and that you are safe. It helps you focus on things that are real, like your senses and immediate environment, instead of worries and fears.

So whether you have mild or severe anxiety, give this one a try if you need to feel grounded.

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That’s all I’ve got for you for now. These are the five practices that have helped me the most in dealing with anxiety, and I truly hope they bring you, or whoever you might share them with, some comfort and calm.

It’s so important to be open about these things, to have these discussions, and to share our struggles and what helps us through them. You never know where you might make a difference.

Thanks for listening to my spiel...until the next one!

I’ll meet you on the other side of fear (and anxiety!), 

Liv :)