How do I stop anxiety from ruining my day?

I’ve always taken pride in the fact that I’m usually the person with the calmest, most easy-going demeanor wherever I am, but lately I’ve been so anxious that I can barely sleep at night, something I’ve never had to deal with before. And on top of it all, my mind’s constantly racing with thoughts that only serve to exacerbate my anxiety.

I don’t know what’s happening to me but I want it to stop before I give myself high blood pressure, or an ulcer or, worse, a heart attack.

I’ve been reading a book called “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and it’s all small stuff” by Richard Carlson, Ph. D., and it’s helping me some, but usually only while I’m reading it. Once I put it down, I can feel my anxiety building and within an hour or so, I’m a bundle of nerves all over again.

I’ve also looked up strategies for dealing with anxiety on Google, but I give up too easily…

Are you have you ever been in a similar situation? If so, how do/did you cope? What strategies helped you most? Most of all, how do I keep myself motivated and on task?

Thank you in advance!!

P.s. just for reference: I’m female, 24 years old, and just recently moved to NYC for work (about 2 months ago).