We have all experienced anxiety, and while I really do not think there is a way to completely avoid anxiety, we can certainly develop good coping skills for when anxiety hits us.
Let’s start with a clear definition of anxiety, and then discuss some coping strategies, and what to do if your anxiety is reaching levels you cannot control.
Summarizing Wikipedia, anxiety is:
a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome; a strong desire or concern to do something or for something to happen.
What are good coping strategies?
The ADAA offers tips for managing anxiety and stress. Among these are simple measures you can take to reduce your body’s physiological reaction to stress such as eating well, reducing intake of caffeine and alcohol, and getting enough sleep.
When to seek help?
If you are experiencing severe anxiety that does not allow you to continue with your daily life, seek help. There are a number of anxiety disorders that are well summarized by WebMD. Familiarize yourself with these in order to know if what you are experiencing is normal.
Simon Downes, MD, PhD 