Can Anxiety Be Cured?
Have you ever found yourself lying awake at night with racing thoughts and not being able to shut your mind off? Well, you are not alone.
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health challenges, and I'm sure if you've experienced it, you've asked yourself this question at least once: "Can anxiety be cured?"
As someone who struggles with anxiety, I've asked myself this question multiple times, especially when it starts to affect my work, relationships, and daily life.
But what does "cure" really mean when it comes to mental health, and is this even possible?
Anxiety Isn't Always "Bad"
When living with anxiety, I think it's important to give yourself some grace and recognition. Of course, it's easier said than done, but I find I can be hard on myself and forget how much progress I've made on my journey with anxiety.
Did you know that anxiety is an entirely natural and necessary emotion? Anxiety helps alert us when there's danger and also helps motivate and keep us aware of our surroundings. However, it becomes a problem when it starts to interfere with your daily life, especially when it's constant and overwhelming.
Rather than asking yourself "how can I cure my anxiety," maybe consider rephrasing the question to "how can I explore ways to help manage my anxiety".
Techniques To Help Manage Anxiety
If you struggle with anxiety, here are a few of my favourite practical tools I use to help myself feel more grounded.
Deep breathing - deep, slow breaths can help calm your nervous system.
Limit caffeine and alcohol - alcohol can disrupt your sleep and mood regulation, and caffeine can overstimulate your nervous system.
Routine and sleep hygiene - lack of structure and poor sleep can worsen anxiety. Building a consistent routine can help create a sense of control and familiarity.
Talk to a professional - working with a therapist can provide you with personalized tools you can use when you find yourself feeling overwhelmed with racing thoughts.
Fun fact: Eating something super sour (like candy) can help snap your brain out of an anxious spiral. This is a tool that my therapist taught me and is one of my favourites!
Why does this work? Sour candy acts as a sensory interruption, grabbing your attention quickly and helping to shift your focus away from unwanted racing thoughts.
Therapy Can Make a Huge Difference
Working with a therapist can be a huge step towards managing your anxiety. For me, it's a safe place where I feel seen, heard, and completely understood.
Through strategies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques, therapy is a valuable technique to help you manage your anxiety and provide you with tools to help you respond to your anxiety with more confidence and clarity.
Recovery Is Possible - Even If Anxiety Returns
The truth is, recovery doesn't mean the absence of anxiety; it means learning how to live alongside it.
Recovery is about developing self-awareness and about learning how to respond differently when anxiety shows up in your life. Even if your anxiety returns when you least expect it, it doesn't mean you've lost all the progress you've made. This is something I still struggle with understanding.
When I have a setback with my anxiety, I find I can be so hard on myself and forget to give myself credit for how far I've come.
Recovery is about recognizing your strength, even on the hard days.
Give Yourself Grace
One thing I've learned with growing up with anxiety is that anxiety isn't linear. For me, when it feels like I finally have my anxiety figured out, all of a sudden, it shows up differently. Some days you will feel strong and clear-headed, and other days you may feel like you're starting from day one - both are okay.
Giving yourself grace means allowing yourself room for mistakes and setbacks. It's about showing up for yourself without beating yourself up. Of course, it's easier said than done, and I still struggle with this.
Every step you take, the small ones, the shaky ones, and even the ones that feel backwards - still count
If you're looking for anxiety counselling in the Comox Valley, book a free 15-minute consultation with Riley Brown Counselling.
