If you have been dealing with serious anxiety, one of the best things you can do for yourself is arrange to receive psychiatric services from an experienced psychiatrist. However, when you call to make an appointment, you might be told that the doctor cannot get you in for a week or two. How should you deal with your anxiety in the meantime? Here are a few tips to get you started.

1. Write down what you are worried about.

When you suffer from anxiety, it is easy to get stuck in a thought spiral. You keep thinking the same negative thoughts again and again but not getting anywhere. A good way to break this cycle is to write your thoughts down. This accomplishes two things. First, it solidifies your thoughts, which helps to end the thought spiral that is making you more and more anxious. Second it can "wake you up" to how silly your anxious thoughts are. Something about seeing phrases like "I'm worried that my friends won't like my new hat" on paper makes them seem so much less serious.

2. Talk to someone.

One reason therapy works is it gives you someone to talk to. There may be portions of your anxious thoughts that you are not willing to share with a friend or family member, but there are probably some things you can talk about. Meet up with a trusted friend over coffee and get to talking! You'll feel a lot better after letting it all out.

3. Set aside time for exercise.

Exercise causes your body to release endorphins, which help calm you down. So in the weeks leading up to your psychiatry appointment, make sure you leave time for exercise. You don't have to run sprints or hike up a mountain. Just walking for 20 minutes or taking an aerobic dance class is enough to get your heart pumping and the endorphins flowing.

4. Ask yourself, "What is the worst that can happen?"

Are you worried that someone won't like your outfit? Maybe you're concerned that you might not get to work on time. Play these scenarios out in your head, asking yourself what the worst that can happen is if your anxious thoughts come true. Chances are, it's not that bad!

If you utilize the tips above to keep your anxiety under control, you will avoid letting your anxiety get the best of you while awaiting an appointment with a psychiatrist.