Anxiety is a normal feeling that we can all experience sometimes – just before an exam, if we’re getting a medical test and in other times of stress – and we all have our own ways of dealing with those feelings. Some people manage feeling anxious well but others find that those anxious feelings affect their daily lives.
When someone is feeling anxious, you might feel concerned and helpless. It can be difficult to know how to support an anxious person and you might feel like nothing you do will help .
Below are some of my favourite tips to help someone who is feeling anxious:
- Let them know you are there for them
Many anxious people may feel isolated and alone. It’s important to let them know that you are there for them. Having confirmed support from their loved ones can really alleviate some worries or at least make them more manageable.
- Validate their worries and feelings
When someone is feeling anxious, their worries and feelings might seem irrational to you but they are real and serious to them. It’s so important to validate how they are feeling, even if you don’t completely understand or agree. Making sure they know you support them and are there for them can make such a difference.
- Ask them what makes them feel better
Everyone who suffers from anxious thoughts has a different way of handling their worries, from writing them in a diary to talking to a trusted friend to distractions. By asking someone how they usually handle their worries, you can help by being there for that chat or making those fun plans as a distraction. This is especially important if things get really bad and the person you are helping is suffering from a panic attack – learning how to best support them beforehand can make a huge difference if they have an attack later on.
- Offer to help them with their work load
When someone is feeling overwhelmed or anxious with their to-do list, a really lovely thing you can do for them is offer to take care of some of their tasks, as long as it doesn’t put your own wellbeing at risk. It might mean taking a chore for a few days, offering to grab something from the shop for them or even just asking what you can help them with.
- Give them space if they need it
Not everyone who is feeling anxious wants to be around people. Sometimes the best thing you can do for someone is give them some space for as long as they need. It can be good to reiterate that you are there for them if and when they feel up to spending time with you again. Try not to take it personally if an anxious person asks you to leave them alone – it’s really likely that they’re just feeling overwhelmed.
- Encourage them to seek help
It’s normal to feel anxious at times, like before a test or exam. However, if someone is finding their worries are overwhelming or are starting to affect their daily life, it’s really important to encourage them to seek professional help from their doctor.
While you are a great person for wanting to support someone who is anxious, it’s essential that you are looking after yourself first and foremost. If you are struggling yourself, pleas seek help from a trusted adult or professional.
By Karis Harwood
