Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions in the U.S., affecting up to 19% of adults — but most of us don’t have specialized knowledge of how exactly the brain works to help us stop our racing thoughts. Luckily, neuroscientist and author Alex Korb, Ph.D., shared some of his tips based on his over 20 years in the field for managing anxiety in a recent CNBC article. “I’ve learned that you don’t need to optimize every minute of your day to make your brain stronger,” Korb wrote. “Even the smallest shifts in your approach can lead to positive changes that help you focus, feel calmer and fight burnout.” Mental health tip of the day: Ask yourself this question next time you feel anxious Rather than seeing anxiety as a flaw, Korb says he imagines it “as a smoke detector: signals from the limbic system, your brain’s emotional center, pointing to what matters.” Instead of just ignoring it, he sees it as an opportunity to check in with himself. “I pause and ask what (my anxiety) telling me about why this moment matters. Once I can name it, I can address it, rather than stewing or freezing,” he adds. In the past, when he ignored his anxiety, it made it harder for him to determine if the feeling was signaling something trivial or serious. mental health May 19 What is ‘Ozempic personality'? Patient shares troubling GLP-1 impact on mental health College Football Mar 16 Oregon QB Dante Moore reveals depression fight, seeks support for mental health Why it matters Chronic anxiety can take a negative toll on both mental and physical health, research shows. It can increase the risk of depression and make you more likely to use substances, and it’s also linked to panic attacks, insomnia high blood pressure, headaches, fatigue and more. How to get started Asking yourself what your anxiety might be trying to tell you is an important step to addressing it, Korb notes. Some other ways to manage anxiety include: Rhythmic breathing exercises Meditating Reducing technology use, especially of smartphones Going outside Exercising This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY: Whenever I achieve a hard-fought goal, it never feels like enough. Is this normal? Trainer reveals her No. 1 stretch to relieve stress instantly Is love enough for a relationship to survive? It depends on this thing, therapist says ...read more read less