For the daily struggle, and to increase

your chances of success, here are

five ways to reduce your anxiety.

1. Find the source and take action

Figuring out the source of anxiety can be a challenge, especially if you have a tendency to ruminate. Writing it out is one tool for determining the cause (or causes) of your anxiety and once you identify the problem, look for specific steps you can take. Then take action. This movement in the right direction silences anxiety while eliminating the source.

2. Let go/walk away

This is a tough one. The fact that you’re anxious about something means that it has a hold on you. If it’s taking over your life, making you sick, costing you hours of sleep, affecting your ability to function, then letting go might be the only way.

3. Sleep

One of the worst things about anxiety is the sleepless cycle that happens. You feel anxious and that keeps you up. Your bad night causes a cascade of stress hormones, poor performance, grumpiness and more anxiety. That leads to another sleepless night which causes more anxiety to keep you up even more. Eventually your body breaks down and you end up with a flu, burnout or worse. There’s no magic solution for this but do everything you can to eliminate the other factors that mess your sleep patterns. Get off your phone early, go to bed on time, ensure your room is the right temperature, get regular exercise (but not too close to bedtime) and eliminate sources of light that could keep you up.

4. Play

If you’re industrious, your anxiety might be related to overwork and perfectionism. Take time to enjoy the present moment, watch a comedy, play a sport, play games with your kids. Get away from your computer, turn off your phone and get out in nature. Crunch some dead leaves, scribble with sidewalk chalk. Go for a bike ride, play a board game, build a model airplane, crochet some useless thing. Let time pass and be unproductive for a change.

5. Get help

You can do everything right and still battle anxiety and its other half: depression. You don’t have to deal with it alone. Get help from someone you trust or a professional if necessary. Don’t suffer unnecessarily.