Anxiety impacts millions of people worldwide, and it can often take a heavy hold on your life. Chances are, you know someone with the condition — maybe even someone very close to you. 

While people deal with different symptoms when it comes to anxiety, the good news is that it’s often a very manageable mental health issue. But, it’s not typically something that goes away on its own or without the right kind of help. 

If someone you care about is struggling with anxiety, there are things you can do to help them manage their daily symptoms and even start to overcome their worries and fears. Let’s cover five practical and effective ways you can help someone with anxiety. 

1. Ask What They Need

One of the simplest and most direct ways to help someone with anxiety is to ask what you can do for them. 

Anxiety can be a very personal thing. Maybe the person in your life struggles with so much fear that they have a hard time getting things done. Consider running errands for them or watching their children for a few hours so they can try to sleep. 

Other people might feel better just talking about their feelings. Be direct and compassionate in asking how you can help. 

2. Be an Active Listener

Speaking of that person talking about their feelings, make sure you’re ready to be a kind and compassionate listener. 

It’s not always easy for people to open up about their anxiety. If someone trusts you enough to talk about it, make sure you’re paying attention, asking careful questions, and validating their feelings. You don’t have to understand what they’re going through to let them know they’re allowed to feel that way. 

3. Educate Yourself

Most of us think we have a basic understanding of what anxiety is, but it can look different for everyone. Don’t let yourself believe negative stereotypes and mental health stigmas. Instead, do your research on what anxiety often really looks like. That includes recognizing common symptoms. 

It’s also important to talk to the person in your life with anxiety about their specific condition. Where does their anxiety stem from? What are their triggers? The more you know about their struggles, the easier it will be to help them work through things. 

4. Help Them Reduce Stress

Anxiety symptoms can be overwhelming, crippling, and even debilitating at times. While symptoms might vary from person to person, some of the most common include shaking, a rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, and dizziness. 

People with anxiety might have certain triggers that make symptoms worse. Or they might struggle with a nearly constant state of fear and worry. 

Whatever the case, you can help by reducing stress in that person’s life. If you see that they’re struggling, encourage them to take slow, deep breaths. Meditate with them. Go on walks together. Buy them a journal they can write in. 

When a person with anxiety is able to reduce their stress and fight back against negative symptoms, it can give them a sense of power and control, letting them know they don’t have to define themselves by a mental health condition. 

5. Encourage Professional Help

Again, anxiety can be a very manageable condition. However, it’s not something anyone actually going through it should have to deal with on their own. Therapy is often the best way to not only handle symptom management, but to fight back against the root cause of anxiety. 

Encouraging a loved one to seek out professional help isn’t always easy, but it’s the best thing you can do to help them combat and beat anxiety, and take control of their long-term mental health. If you’re interested in learning more about anxiety counseling, feel free to contact me for information.