There are many ways to overcome your mother’s anxiety. The most important thing is to be patient and understanding. It is also important to be proactive in helping her manage her anxiety. Here are some tips on how to overcome your mother’s anxiety:
1. Educate yourself about anxiety and its triggers.
2. Help your mother identify her own personal anxiety triggers.
3. Work with your mother to develop a plan to manage her anxiety, including both short-term and long-term coping strategies.
4.Encourage your mother to seek professional help if her anxiety is severe or interfering with her quality of life.
Recognize it’s your anxiety, not your child’s. When in the depths of anxiety, Thornton says try not to transmit your anxiousness on to your children
If you’re able to be open about your anxiety with your kids, they may feel more comfortable discussing their own fears with you. “It can normalize the experience for them and let them know that it’s okay to feel this way,” Thornton says.
Don’t ask loved ones to do what scares you
It can be difficult to watch a loved one suffer from anxiety. You may feel helpless, not knowing how to support them or make their anxiety go away. It’s important to remember that you can not “fix” someone else’s anxiety, and that asking a loved one to do something that scares them is not going to help. In fact, it could make their anxiety worse.
Here are some things you can do to support a loved one with anxiety:
Listen without judgement: Just because you don’t understand what it feels like to live with anxiety doesn’t mean your experience is invalid. Listening without judgement or trying to offer solutions is one of the most supportive things you can do.
Encourage healthy coping mechanisms: Help your loved one find healthy ways to cope with their anxiety. This could include exercise, relaxation techniques, journaling, or talking to a therapist. Avoid alcohol and drugs as they will only serve as temporary fixes and can actually make anxiety worse in the long run.
Be there for them: Let your loved one know that you are there for them, no matter what. This can be a huge source of comfort when living with anxiety. Just knowing someone cares and is willing to listen can make all the difference.
Accept that you’ll feel anxious
You’ll feel anxious when you’re around your mother if you’re constantly worried about her reaction to things. It’s important to accept that you’ll feel this way and to try to relax as much as possible. One way to do this is by focusing on your breathing and trying to take slow, deep breaths. Additionally, it may help to distract yourself with something else, such as reading or listening to music. If you can’t seem to shake the anxiety, it may be best to talk to someone else about how you’re feeling. This can be a friend, family member, therapist, or anyone else who will understand and support you.
Get professional help
If your mother’s anxiety is causing her significant distress or interfering with her ability to function, she should see a mental health professional. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for anxiety and can help your mother learn how to manage her anxiety.
Your mother’s anxious thoughts may be unrealistic or based on false assumptions. A therapist can help her identify and challenge these thoughts, which can help lessen her anxiety.
Your mother may benefit from medication if her anxiety is severe or if CBT alone isn’t enough to help manage it. Medication can be an effective way to reduce symptoms of anxiety and improve your mother’s quality of life. If she does decide to take medication, she should work closely with a psychiatrist or other mental health professional to make sure the medication is working and that there are no adverse side effects.
You can play an important role in helping your mother manage her anxiety by providing support and understanding. Try to be patient as she works on managing her anxiety, and avoid criticising or belittling her efforts. Instead, encourage and praise positive changes that you see in her behavior.
Make time for self-care
It is difficult to manage anxiety on your own, especially when it feels like everyone around you is doing just fine. If your mother is struggling with anxiety, it is important to make time for her to focus on her mental health. This may look different for every family, but some ideas include scheduling daily check-ins, making sure she has time to relax and unwind each day, and having regular family dinners or other bonding experiences.
In addition to spending quality time with your loved one, it is also important that she takes care of herself. This means eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. She may also need to find healthy coping mechanisms for when her anxiety gets overwhelming. Some people find comfort in journaling, listening to calm music, or spending time in nature. It is important that she experiment until she finds what works best for her.
If you are struggling to help your mother manage her anxiety on your own, there are many resources available. You can start by looking up local therapy options or support groups. Additionally, there are numerous online resources that can be very helpful. The most important thing is that you reach out for help so that you can both start working towards a more peaceful life.