Anxiety is torturous. It can lead to intense paranoia, panic, and problems. It’s all-consuming when it hits, and it feels like there’s no way out. However, this feeling is completely false! There are ways to control, maintain, and handle your anxiety before it gets to that intense level.

One of the most effective ways to combat anxiety is to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is a mental state in which you are focusing completely on the present moment. You’re not thinking of your past or what’s to come in the future. You are present in the here and now.

A lot of our anxieties stem from mistakes we’ve made in the past. We’ve all made mistakes that have haunted us long after they happened. What good does that do? You can’t do anything about it now, as it’s in the past, so what’s it doing still bothering you? Remind yourself that you can’t change what has already happened, so it’s time to accept that and move on.

So now you’re worrying about your future. Guess what? You can’t exactly control it! The best way to get to where you want to go is to take each moment as it comes. Be mindful of your current surroundings, feelings, tasks, body, thoughts, etc. Understand them, work with them, and do so with an open mind. You’ll find that only focusing on the present moment is a lot more productive and meaningful than worrying about stuff that is out of your control. Working with only the current situation at hand will allow you to focus all of your attention on that one moment, allowing you to put your all into what you’re doing. This will give you a firm step toward any future goals you’ve been worried about.

Remember to breathe. When you get anxious, your thoughts jumble together and you can’t think clearly. When the anxiety hits, stop your mind from getting flooded with “what ifs” and close your eyes. Practice some meditation. Take deep breaths and feel your heart rate decrease. Focus on your breath and clearing out your head. You’ll feel relaxed in no time and ready to conquer anything that comes your way. Remember that nothing is too big for you to handle. Even if you need help, you can do it.

Anxiety will never win. It can’t. It’s a natural feeling, but sometimes it gets carried away. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Ask yourself, “is this really worth getting worked up about?”. The answer is probably no. Practice mindfulness and remember to breathe. Our mental health is just as important as our physical health, so take control and keep calm and carry on.