health
March 15, 2026
From childhood to midlife and beyond: how to handle anxiety at every age
Talk about your fears, normalise difficult emotions, get up and move: experts share their strategies for managing anxiety at different stages of life
TL;DR
- Anxiety is a common response to uncertainty and can be managed with appropriate strategies at different life stages.
- In childhood, validating and normalizing anxious feelings is crucial, while avoiding situations that trigger anxiety can worsen it.
- Adolescents can benefit from discussing fears and modeling healthy coping mechanisms; social media's impact on anxiety needs careful management.
- Early adulthood strategies include healthy lifestyle choices (diet, exercise, sleep) and fostering social connections to combat loneliness.
- Middle age may involve managing anxiety related to perimenopause, caring for family, and work-life balance, with friendship being vital.
- Older age can see increased health anxiety and fear of cognitive decline or falls, with psychological therapies and social engagement being important.
- Professional help, such as therapy (CBT, mindfulness) and sometimes medication, is recommended for persistent or overwhelming anxiety.
- Physical activity, sunlight, connection, rest, and even cold water therapy can aid in managing anxiety across age groups.
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