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Whether it’s major national issues, like the upcoming Presidential election, or situations closer to home, like starting college in the fall, it seems like there’s always something we could be anxious about. And thatanxietycan impact our mind and body — potentially leading to even more anxiety.
“Physically, anxiety can trigger symptoms like a rapid heartbeat, sweating, shaking, and difficulty breathing. Those with anxiety often feel tense, restless, and on edge, which can interfere with their ability to focus or get a good night’s sleep,” explainsCatherine Nobile, PsyD,New York psychologist and director of Nobile Psychology. “These thoughts and emotions are intense, and their persistent nature can significantly affect their daily lives, making it challenging to participate in regular activities or find joy in moments that others might find ordinary,” she adds.
One way to bring levity and joy in the midst of feeling anxious is through humor. Research shows thatlaughter can help lessen feelings of worryand stress.Many writers, entertainers, and historical figures know this well, and often share words of wisdom from life experiences that bring just the chuckle that we need.
We take a look at 20 quotes designed to bring a smile to your face and make your load feel lighter during times of stress and anxiety. So, sit back, take a deep breath, and in the words of Louis Armstrong, “leave your worries on the doorstep.”
How to Deal With Crippling Anxiety
20 Quotes About Anxiety to Keep You Smiling
The Bible says in Proverbs that a merry heart does good like medicine. These quotes are sure to make you feel better.
1. “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”
— Anne Lamott
2. “Be obscure clearly.”
- E. B. White
3. “Cure for an obsession: get another one.”
- Mason Cooley
4. “Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.”
- Elbert Hubbard
5. “I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.”
- Mark Twain
6. “I have a new philosophy. I’m only going to dread one day at a time.”
- Charles M. Schulz
7. “I just give myself permission to suck…I find this hugely liberating.”
— John Green
-Douglas Adams
9. “I quittherapybecause my analyst was trying to help me behind my back.”
- Richard Lewis
- “If at first you don’t succeed, find out if the loser gets anything.”
- William Lyon Phelps
- “I’m for whatever gets you through the night.”
- Frank Sinatra
- “Life is hard. After all, it kills you.”
- Katharine Hepburn
- “My life needs editing.”
- Mort Sahl
- “One advantage of talking to yourself is that you know at least somebody’s listening.”
- Franklin P. Jones
- “Reality continues to ruin my life.”
- Bill Watterson
- “The next time you have a thought… let it go.”
- Ron White
- “The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.”
— Sydney J. Harris
- “There cannot be a crisis next week. My schedule is already full.”
– Henry Kissingerhttps://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/henry_kissinger_100085
- “We must have a pie. Stress cannot exist in the presence of a pie.”
— David Mamet, “Boston Marriage”
- “Worry is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do but never gets you anywhere.”
– Erma Bombeck
The Health Benefits of Humor and Laughter
Other Ways to Calm an Anxious Mind
More than a third of all adults in the United States deal with some sort of anxiety disorder in their lifetime.Along with humor, additional strategies can help you cope with the symptoms that anxiety brings.
Ultimately, humor can help change your focus, divert your attention from stressful issues, and even have a healing impact.
“Humor can often shift your perspective and help to alleviate feelings of anxiety. Humorous quotes can also challenge negative thinking patterns … reminding you that excessively worrying can be counterproductive. Humor can be liberating,” Dr. Brown concludes.
Laughter as a Coping Mechanism
3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dionigi A, Duradoni M, Vagnoli L.Understanding the association between humor and emotional distress: the role of light and dark humor in predicting depression, anxiety, and stress.Eur J Psychol.2023;19(4):358-370.National Institute of Mental Health.Any Anxiety Disorder.Ewert A, Chang Y. Levels of nature and stress response. Behav Sci (Basel). 2018;8(5):49.
3 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dionigi A, Duradoni M, Vagnoli L.Understanding the association between humor and emotional distress: the role of light and dark humor in predicting depression, anxiety, and stress.Eur J Psychol.2023;19(4):358-370.National Institute of Mental Health.Any Anxiety Disorder.Ewert A, Chang Y. Levels of nature and stress response. Behav Sci (Basel). 2018;8(5):49.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Dionigi A, Duradoni M, Vagnoli L.Understanding the association between humor and emotional distress: the role of light and dark humor in predicting depression, anxiety, and stress.Eur J Psychol.2023;19(4):358-370.National Institute of Mental Health.Any Anxiety Disorder.Ewert A, Chang Y. Levels of nature and stress response. Behav Sci (Basel). 2018;8(5):49.
Dionigi A, Duradoni M, Vagnoli L.Understanding the association between humor and emotional distress: the role of light and dark humor in predicting depression, anxiety, and stress.Eur J Psychol.2023;19(4):358-370.
National Institute of Mental Health.Any Anxiety Disorder.
Ewert A, Chang Y. Levels of nature and stress response. Behav Sci (Basel). 2018;8(5):49.
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