Do you know the signs of high functioning anxiety – and if you are a sufferer? Find out now – and get these 7 tools to help you cope – so you feel less burnout all the time
Anxiety is becoming increasingly common – thanks to the many stresses of modern life. More people than ever are struggling with some kind of anxiety disorder than ever before. And many of these people have what’s called “high functioning anxiety.”
What is high functioning anxiety?
People with high functioning anxiety are doing very well in life – even though they’re stressed beyond belief. They are able to push through their anxiety and accomplish a lot.
They’re usually highly successful, charismatic, driven, confident – and on the outside they even appear calm.
Meanwhile, beneath their impressive exterior, their mind is a battle field for stressful thoughts and fears. They secretly feel burnt out and exhausted – yet are able to continue to function at a high level nonetheless.
It’s also common for high function anxiety sufferers to experience constant fear of failure and regular worrying about what others think of them. These anxieties actually fuel them to work harder and do better – which just creates more stress and overwhelm. Nobody would ever guess these people were suffering from these fears – because they appear so strong, confident, capable.
High-functioning anxiety is challenging to live with. It can lead to exhaustion, burnout, and lots of restless sleeping – which then negatively affects your health, happiness, relationships, and self-esteem.
Can you relate to these characteristics of a person with high functioning anxiety?
If so, no worries! I’m here to help – with tools to better cope with high functioning anxiety!
7 Tools For People With High Functioning Anxiety
1. Try Meditation
Meditation can be a very effective tool to help you deal with high functioning anxiety.
Spending a few minutes just focusing on your breathing and being still can help to ease your worries and give your mind a rest from turning over the same problems for hours on end.
Remember that meditation is a skill that takes practice.
So don’t panic if you find it difficult to clear your mind at first.
I wrote a bestselling meditation guide – called Instant Calm – overflowing with a range of simple do-able 2 minute meditations. Learn more here!
Many high functioning anxiety sufferers struggle to get to sleep. If this is you, there are some tricks you can try to relax and encourage a nice, sleepy feeling. .
Drink a comforting warm drink like a decaf tea or warm milk.
Prep your bedroom to be the optimum sleep environment. Remove any distractions and anything that gives off light, so your bedroom is dark and quiet.
Don’t watch TV or look at your phone in bed. In fact, your bedroom should be a screen free zone, as the blue light from these screens tricks your mind into feeling more awake.
Try a Hush weighted blanket. These blankets are specially weighted, which makes them feel very comforting to lay under. Many anxiety or insomnia sufferers swear by them to feel relaxed enough to drop off to sleep.
It might seem old-fashioned, but a good night’s sleep can make a lot of difference to the way you feel.
3. Get Some Exercise
Exercise is an important part of maintaining good mental health. The endorphins released from exercise help to reduce stress and anxiety.
Find an exercise you enjoy and will stick to.
I love my in home rebounder (aka mini trampoline!)
Running is very effective – because it gives you some fresh air and space to clear your head.
You might also enjoy the slow mindfulness of yoga. It can help you to battle anxious thoughts.
Simply going for a walk can be very helpful too.
4. Try Thought Mastery Techniques
Anxiety is mostly irrational. If you suffer from high functioning anxiety, you need to remind yourself of this frequently. After all, the thoughts you think become the emotions you feel.
I offer a range of Thought Mastery Techniques in my life changing video course, The Anxiety Cure.
Here’s a free video – called “Make A Worry Appointment” – which shares a research-backed relaxation method from Penn State University.
Learning how to create scheduled worry appointments has been reported to reduce overthinking and overwhelm – and increase calm and focus. Watch the free video training now!
5. Keep A Journal
Try writing your worries down in a journal. Getting your anxious thoughts out onto paper can help you to make better sense of them. Plus you can more readily see how many of your worries are kinda silly and irrational.
If you struggle to talk about your anxiety, then expressing yourself in a journal can be especially helpful.
So, take some time every day to write about how you feel – good or bad.
Try to note…
what you did
who you saw
what you ate/drank
You may find that keeping a diary helps you to notice patterns in your anxiety.
Do you feel worse right after work?
Does seeing a particular relative set off a spiral of worries?
Do you feel better on days when you eat well and exercise?
By finding patterns, you can be better armed to combat your anxiety with tools that work for you.
You can also journal to remind yourself of positive moments and feel gratitude.
If you feel like everything has been difficult all week, look back at your journal and remember those moments of happiness. Even if it was just a moment of quiet with a cup of coffee.
Basically, journaling can help you to remember that there are still parts of life that you enjoy, even when things are difficult.
This is classic advice because it works. Bottling up the way you feel is never healthy, and even just admitting that you’re struggling can be a big relief.
Whether you seek professional help through CBT, or choose to just talk to someone you know, letting it out can help.
But whoever you choose, make sure it is someone who will listen well – without trying to offer advice if you don’t won’t it.
You can also look into peer support programs. Many mental health charities offer free helplines, either over the phone or by email, where you can speak to others who also struggle with anxiety.
7. Try Alternative Therapies
If you’re struggling with high functioning anxiety, it might be worth trying an alternative therapy:
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