One of the most common health conditions in this country, tinnitus is when sound is perceived, but there is no external noise source present. You hear a clicking, ringing, hissing, swooshing, whistling, or buzzing noise in your ears, but no one else can hear it. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, over 50 million Americans experience tinnitus, and unfortunately for some people, tinnitus can be extremely debilitating.

While there is no ultimate cure, there are steps you can take to help you deal with tinnitus so you can lead a happy, productive life. Do you want to know how to cope with tinnitus? Check out these simple tips that can help you manage.

1. Stay positive! While no one is perfect, trying your best to have a positive attitude really does help. Instead of dwelling on the negative, envision a positive outcome.

2. Avoid situations that can damage your hearing even further. If you are going to be exposed to excessive noise, make sure you protect your ears by wearing ear plugs or earmuffs.

3. Try your best to avoid or limit stress, tension, and anxiety. All three can trigger tinnitus and make it worse, so try your best to remain calm.

4. Avoid stimulates such as tobacco, tea, coffee, soda, and alcohol. All of these can stimulate the nervous system and can make tinnitus worse for some people.

5. Live a healthy lifestyle. With exercise and a healthy diet you can not only improve your health and well-being, but it also may help with your tinnitus.

6. Playing music in the background or having another form of white noise may help distract you from the sounds of tinnitus.

7. Try out some alternative therapies, such as yoga, tai chi, qi gong, and acupuncture. Some people have found that they find relief in alternative therapies. Give it a try and see what works for you.

8. Have someone to talk too. Whether this is a friend, doctor, or through counseling, having someone to talk to can help calm any anxiety or fear you may have.

9. Make sure you get plenty of rest every night. Being tired can exacerbate tinnitus symptoms. If you are having issues sleeping, try sleeping with your head propped up in an elevated position.

10. Be patient! Things usually take some time until they start having a positive effect, so don’t get disappointed and give up if things don’t get better immediately. Good things come in time.