Anxiety is rising worldwide, but researchers and public figures are offering practical tools. At the New York Times Well Festival in Brooklyn, a panel including Sara Bareilles, a psychology professor from a leading U.S. university, and the host of a popular wellbeing podcast shared actionable strategies. The discussion aligned with the latest science on well-being and aims to help Thai readers facing similar stressors.
Global data show anxiety disorders increasing over the past decade due to modern life pressures, economic uncertainty, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 era. In Thailand, Department of Mental Health surveys indicate a notable rise in people seeking help for anxiety, especially among younger adults and students. Breaking silence about mental health remains important in Thai society, where stigma around psychiatric conditions is slowly easing and openness can encourage care seeking.
Bareilles spoke candidly about her own experience, including a period after stopping antidepressants and the impact of losing a close friend. Her honesty, along with a well-known podcast host’s account of a panic attack during live television, underscored that anxiety does not discriminate by success. Such visibility can help reduce shame and promote support within Thai communities where family reputation and saving face are influential factors.
The panel highlighted three evidence-based pathways: action, experimentation, and mindfulness. The podcast host urged concrete steps beyond discussion, noting that “action absorbs anxiety.” Instead of letting anxiety define a person, experts advise proactive strategies such as therapy, exercise, and social connection. This approach resonates with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) principles, which emphasize facing fears to break cycles of avoidance. In the Thai context, data from clinical practices in Bangkok and other cities show CBT, group therapy, and mindfulness programs are increasingly available.
Thai professionals confirm the value of taking action. A senior official from the Department of Mental Health recently emphasized encouraging people to seek help, practice self-care, and engage in community activities to address both individual and societal anxiety. Hospitals across the country now offer CBT, group sessions, and mindfulness-based interventions as part of routine care.
Experimentation with coping tools was the panel’s second key message. Bareilles described a personal toolkit that includes therapy, medication, meditation, regular exercise, and meaningful social connections. A psychology professor recommended time in nature and listening to music as powerful mood regulators. Research on nature exposure supports these benefits, with studies showing reduced stress and anxiety when people spend time outdoors.
For Thai readers, practical applications include visiting a local temple or spending time in city parks, both of which align with traditional wellness practices. Research from Thai universities indicates green spaces and temple visits can lessen anxiety, echoing global findings. Community activities such as festivals, temple fairs, or neighborhood volunteering also provide vital social ties that bolster resilience.
The third pathway is mindfulness. Rooted in Buddhist traditions familiar to many Thais, mindfulness has strong scientific backing. Brief sessions can yield incremental improvements, though experts caution that mindfulness should not become another stressor. People may discover different routes to calm and awe, and that diversity of practice can be beneficial.
In Thailand, mindfulness practices are increasingly integrated into health care. Major hospitals offer structured mindfulness courses for patients dealing with anxiety, insomnia, or chronic pain, and national health authorities are producing Thai-language online mindfulness resources for the public.
Experts on both sides of the Pacific agree that building peace in an anxious world is a personal and social journey. The overarching message remains: do what works for you. This aligns with Thai values of self-reliance while recognizing the importance of seeking help when needed. Open conversation, reducing taboos, and providing diverse tools are essential for progress.
Thailand has long blended homegrown approaches—traditional herbal remedies, Buddhist meditation, and community rituals—with modern medical care. World Mental Health Day campaigns and youth-led online support groups signal growing appetite for dialogue and innovation within the country.
Looking ahead, demand for mental health services is expected to rise as urbanization, digital life, and economic pressures continue. Government agencies are expanding funding for mental health clinics, increasing counselor training, and supporting school-based well-being programs. Early intervention remains key, with evidence suggesting better long-term outcomes when people access help promptly.
For readers navigating stress related to exams, work, family, or social pressures, the takeaway is clear. First, translate anxiety into action by seeking counseling, exercising, or engaging in community work. Second, experiment with different tools—nature, music, creative activities—until you find what works best. Third, explore mindfulness through meditation, breathing, or prayer, while recognizing that each person’s path is unique.
If anxiety feels overwhelming, reaching out to trusted friends, a religious or community advisor, a counselor, or a medical professional is a sign of courage. With ongoing research and evolving social attitudes, there are more accessible pathways to peace than ever before.
As research and local practice evolve, Thai readers can rely on trusted institutions and practitioners for guidance. Data from Thailand’s Department of Mental Health and findings from national health programs show that timely, evidence-based care improves outcomes for anxiety and related conditions.