How I Took Control of My Anxiety – And How You Can Too (Proven Techniques & Tools)

Struggling with anxiety? Here’s how I stopped letting it control my life – and how you can too!

🛑 Do you constantly overthink past conversations?
😨 Does your brain spiral into “what-if” scenarios at the worst moments?
💭 Wish you could quiet your anxious thoughts and feel at peace?

You’re not alone. Anxiety affects millions of people—but the good news is, you don’t have to let it rule your life. After years of struggling, I discovered 7 science-backed strategies that helped me break free. Today, I’m sharing them with you—along with some of my favorite tools that actually work.

(Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.)

Step 1: Call Out Anxiety for What It Is

Anxiety thrives in the shadows. It makes you believe irrational thoughts are facts, but the moment you call them out—they lose power.

💡 Try this:

  • When you catch yourself spiraling, say: “Oh, so now I’m going to be homeless because I sent an email with a typo? That’s a stretch!”
  • Say your anxious thoughts out loud to make them feel ridiculous.

🔹 Game-Changing Tool for Anxiety:
The Anxiety Workbook: A 7-Week Plan to Overcome Anxiety & Stress – This book helped me identify anxious thought patterns and break free from them

Step 2: The ‘What’s the Worst That Can Happen?’ Trick

Anxiety tricks you into thinking the worst-case scenario is catastrophic. But 99% of the time, it’s not that bad.

💡 Ask yourself:
👉 “If this goes wrong, what’s the worst that will actually happen?”

😅 Example: I once had a panic attack before a work presentation, convinced I’d embarrass myself. Reality? No one cared. People clapped, and life moved on.

🔹 Boost Your Confidence Before Stressful Events
Magnesium Glycinate Supplement – Science-backed support for relaxation and stress relief.

Step 3: The 5-4-3-2-1 Anxiety Grounding Technique

When anxiety traps you in your head, this simple exercise helps bring you back to the present moment.

Try this now:

1️⃣ Name 5 things you see (Laptop, coffee mug, window…)
2️⃣ Name 4 things you can touch (Desk, sweater…)
3️⃣ Name 3 things you can hear (Birds, fridge humming…)
4️⃣ Name 2 things you can smell (Coffee, laundry detergent…)
5️⃣ Name 1 thing you can taste (Mint gum…)

🔹 My Go-To Anxiety Relief Tools
Calm App for Guided Meditation – Life-changing for daily relaxation.
Aromatherapy Diffuser with Lavender Oil – Helps me sleep better and feel calmer instantly.

Step 4: Stop Giving Anxiety VIP Treatment

Would you let an annoying backseat driver dictate your every move? No? Then why let anxiety do it?

💡 Try this mental trick:

This helps you detach from them emotionally instead of believing them.

Imagine your anxious thoughts in a ridiculous cartoon voice (like a dramatic soap opera villain).

🔹 Must-Have for Overthinkers
The Overthinker’s Journal: A Guided Workbook – Helps you reframe anxious thoughts so they don’t control you.

Step 5: The ‘Good Enough’ Rule (How I Stopped Overthinking Everything)

Anxiety and perfectionism go hand in hand. They convince you that if something isn’t perfect, it’s a failure.

💡 The solution? Embrace “good enough.”

I used to spend hours rewriting emails—now, I hit send and move on.

Instead of obsessing over every detail, let 80% be enough.

🔹 If You Struggle with Perfectionism, Read This:
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown – A must-read for recovering perfectionists!

Step 6: Move Your Body (Even When You Don’t Want To)

I hate to say it, but… exercise really does help.

🏃‍♂️ Why?
✔ It burns off excess adrenaline.
✔ It forces you to focus on the present.
✔ It interrupts anxious thought patterns.

Even a 5-minute walk or dancing like a fool in your kitchen can work wonders.

🔹 Best Tools for Movement & Anxiety Relief
Yoga Mat for Daily Stretching – A simple habit that changed my life.
Under-Desk Walking Pad – Great for moving while working from home.

Step 7: The Power of Saying ‘No’

🔹 Did you know? Overcommitment fuels anxiety.

The more you say yes to things that drain you, the worse your anxiety gets.

💡 Try this sentence:
“I appreciate the invite, but I won’t be able to make it.”
👉 No over-explaining. No guilt. Just a simple, powerful NO.

🔹 Set Boundaries with Confidence
Set Boundaries, Find Peace – A Life-Changing Book – If saying “no” is hard for you, this book is a must.

Final Thoughts: Anxiety Doesn’t Get to Win

Anxiety is part of life, but it doesn’t control you. The more you challenge it, the less power it has.

💡 Remember:
✅ You are not your anxiety.
✅ You are strong, capable, and worthy of peace.
✅ And next time anxiety knocks? Politely decline the invitation.

🔥 What’s one anxiety tip that has helped you the most? Let me know in the comments!

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