The world can be a scary place. Every day, we hear about a new tragedy or crisis that makes us worry about what will happen next. Whether it’s a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or epidemic outbreak—it’s easy to feel like the world is crumbling around you. But it doesn’t have to be this way: There are things you can do to control your anxiety in times of crisis and help yourself get through these difficult times without falling apart.

Try to stick to your usual routine as much as possible

It can be hard to stick to your usual routine when you’re going through a crisis. As a result, you may have to change things up and make adjustments. If this is the case for you, try doing what you can with your routine and make sure that when you do change it, it’s as similar as possible. You’ll feel better if there are fewer surprises and disruptions in your life during this difficult time. In addition, tailor-made routines that fit into your activities will help keep things feeling normal for longer; if possible, talk about these changes with friends or family members so they understand what’s going on in your life right now.

Make sure you get plenty of sleep

One thing I learned about myself is that I don’t get enough sleep. And it seems everyone else is the same way, so if you’re struggling with this, keep reading.

Sleep is vital for your physical health as well as your mental health. Lack of sleep can lead to severe health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, but it also affects how you think and feels. The effects of not getting enough sleep on our mental health are more obvious: we’re irritable, more likely to be stressed or anxious, and have trouble making decisions.

Now that we know how important it is to get enough sleep in a crisis, let’s talk about how much we need. The answer? It depends on who you ask! Some experts say seven hours per night while others say eight hours; others think ten hours might be ideal. Whatever you decide on—it’s probably best if all those numbers add up to less than 24 hours per day—you should always feel rested when waking up in the morning, so make sure your bedroom is dark enough for sleep at night without any disruptions.

Call your friends and family  

In a crisis, you need people who can listen to you and help you feel better. In addition, having someone to talk with may help you feel less alone and isolated. To find such people, consider calling (or emailing or messaging) the following:

  • People who make you feel like yourself—people whose company makes it easier for you to think clearly and respond appropriately to the situation at hand.
  • People who have experienced something similar in their own lives, like if you are struggling with financial issues after losing your job, reach out to family members or friends who know what it’s like when money is tight but still manage somehow survive and thrive.

Nurture hobbies and interests, or take up a new one

  • Nurture hobbies and interests, or take up a new one.
  • Take time to relax and recharge.
  • Take steps toward building better sleep habits.
  • Try to find some balance between work, family, and personal time.

Find a way to try and help others in need

  • Find a way to try and help others in need.
  • Volunteer at a shelter or soup kitchen or donate food or money. If you worry about your problems and what will happen tomorrow, try thinking instead about how you can help others right now—even if only by taking the time to make dinner for a friend who has been having a hard time lately.

Focus on the positive things that you can control.

A time of crisis is not the time to focus on what you can’t control. Instead, it would help if you concentrate on the things that are within your control and that positively impact the situation. The more you pay for these things, the better off you’ll be.

Think about what actions can make a difference in this situation and focus your energy there:

  • What are some things I can do to help?
  • What steps can I take that will make a difference?
  • How can I contribute positively to this situation?

Set limits on how much time you spend discussing the crisis with others

Frequently, friends and family members will want to talk about the crisis. A good rule of thumb is to limit your time talking about it with others. If a friend keeps bringing up their negative feelings about your situation for hours on end, be honest about your needs and ask them politely if they could try not to talk so much about it or let other topics come up more often.

If you feel like someone is making you uncomfortable by talking too much about what’s happening in your life, it would be rude to tell them directly that their behavior bothers you (e.g., “Please stop asking me questions”). Consider being honest indirectly:

  • Say something like: “I’m not feeling very well today.” Hopefully, your friend will change their behavior without forcing them into an awkward silence with no explanation (which might make things even more uncomfortable).

Try to spend time outside every day

  • Get outside every day.
  • Breathe in the fresh air, feel the sun on your skin, and get some vitamin D.
  • How to make time for this: put on your shoes and go! You don’t need a destination in mind—walk around until you’ve done at least 10 minutes of walking outside. Bonus points if you try to go somewhere new every day (like taking a new route to work). Make sure you set aside enough time, so you’re not rushing or skipping meals because of it—this practice should be relaxing and enjoyable!

You can control how much anxiety you feel if you have a plan for what to do when you feel anxious and practice coping skills when times are not so stressful so that they are easier to use when you need them most

To control your anxiety, think about the problem as a whole rather than breaking it down into small pieces. Then make a plan for what to do when you feel anxious and practice coping skills when times are not so stressful so that they are easier to use when you need them most.

  • Make a list of all the important things to you and how those things can help others. For example: “Being able to work at my job helps me pay my rent and save money for future plans.”
  • Think about how many years have passed since this event happened compared to how many years before. It will help things in perspective very quickly!
  • Exercise regularly. Aerobic exercise (like walking) releases endorphins which relieve stress. Strength training builds muscles that burn calories. Tai chi improves balance & coordination while reducing blood pressure & cholesterol levels. Relaxation techniques such as meditation or deep breathing have been helpful, but it takes lots of practice before feeling results. If possible, combine different types so the body gets maximum benefit from all activities throughout the day!

Conclusion

You can control how much anxiety you feel if you have a plan for what to do when you feel anxious and practice coping skills when times are not so stressful so that they are easier to use when you need them most.

I hope you enjoyed this article. Feel free to comment below with your thoughts about this article or your personal experience to share with your sisters! Thank you. XOXO Mary