Overcoming Anxiety: Techniques That Worked for Me

Anxiety has been my shadow for as long as I can remember. It's the tightening in my chest before walking into a crowded room, the racing thoughts that keep me up at night, the never-ending "what if" loop that runs in my mind. For years, it felt like I was trapped inside a maze of worry, unsure of how to find my way out.

But here’s the thing: I did find a way out—or at least, I found tools that helped me navigate the maze better. And while I’m still on this journey, I want to share the techniques that worked for me in overcoming anxiety. Maybe they'll work for you too.

1. Breathing Techniques: The Art of Grounding Yourself

One of the most powerful lessons I learned was the importance of breathing. Sounds simple, right? But when anxiety hits, our breath becomes shallow, almost nonexistent, which only fuels the panic.

I remember sitting in a meeting, my heart racing as my anxiety spiked. I discreetly used a technique called "box breathing" that I had picked up from a friend. You inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds, and hold again for 4 seconds. It felt like hitting the reset button on my mind. Suddenly, the noise in my head quieted, and I could focus on the task at hand. I use this trick daily now, whether I'm anxious or…