Anxiety is such a crazy concept. In some instances, it can help the mind become focused and alert to important tasks on hand, and in others, you can be throwing up or balled up on the floor shaking for reasons you don’t understand — both of which are commonly experienced during circumstances that are new and appear scary. Anxiety can be brought on by numerous things, and it isn’t just one feeling that happens, if severe, it can even seem to cause physical pain to your body. I recommend reading the book On Edge: A Journey Through Anxiety by Andrea Petersen if you don’t understand the feelings of anxiety, or you’re having trouble identifying it yourself. This book helped me realize I am not alone.
Here’s general mental health tips and some tips I use to slow my anxiety attacks and balance my stress levels:
- Admit to yourself that there is a problem, make a list of your symptoms, and DO NOT GOOGLE THEM. Sometimes the internet can do a lot more damage than helping, and you’ll research so deep you’ll diagnose yourself with a brain tumor and twelve other kinds of cancers. It just causes more stress, just be aware there is a problem; it’s easier to stop it.
- Get real help. Find out if your health insurance covers therapy, or even seek a neurologist. They study the brain and would be able to help you identify your main issue. Bring your list of symptoms, so you don’t leave anything out. Don’t be afraid of a psychiatrist or psychologist, they went to school just like your primary physician did, and they have no less practice than they do. Now if you don’t/can’t seek professional help, seek help from your loved ones, you never know who might be able to relate and even help you.
- Know your limits. It took me a long time to figure out how much I can handle in a day. Some days I feel like superwomen and can balance school, work, gym, family, and friends all within the 24 hours of the day, and manage to eat and use the bathroom. But that’s an unrealistic expectation of every day when your brain isn’t always on the same page as you. It’s important not to let others, or yourself put unnecessary demands on you or your day. Balance is key, and it’s okay to not fit everything in today, especially a day you mentally feel weak. Remember that social media is full of fakers, someone may constantly be posting about how jam-packed there day is and how productive they are, but most of it is for attention, not for authenticity.
- Avoid the stress. We all have people or situations that stress us TF out, and we have to learn to avoid them. I’m not saying to avoid a job interview or a life — changing opportunity because it’s stressful, but avoid that nasty girl at school that upsets you, or don’t go to the coffee shop that always messes up your order. Eliminate the little triggers in your life, because even something small can cause a chain reaction of an unhappy day.
- Try breathing exercises. Oxygen is a super important food for the brain, like basically the most important thing keeping it functioning. Did you know that’s why we yawn? Simply put, it allows an abundance of oxygen into the brain to help keep us awake. There are a lot of breathing exercises listed online- and focusing on breathing helps distract your mind in stressful situations. Slow breathing, for example, is very important during panic attacks because it helps slow the heart rate and calms the body. This blog is pretty cool, and where I learned some of the breathing techniques I use daily: [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-practice/201607/breathing-techniques-anxiety].
- Express yourself. This is the most important one to me because holding feelings and stress in will cause it to build and fester until you metaphorically or actually explode. That feeling is the worst, pushing a feeling so far down into your gut you think you might poop it out (haha, gross)! Instead, speak up. You deserve to be listened to, and most likely, whatever you voice will be taken into consideration. You have to block out thinking about the “worst-case scenario,” and instead consider no scenarios. Nothing will happen until it actually happens. Just practice kindness and peace, and your words will be understood.
- If you are anticipating an event or anxious about anything, here’s a few self-calming basic things to try:
- Take a relaxing bath or shower
- Go for a walk
- Do a face mask and pamper yourself
- Clean your room, clean house = clean mind
- Watch TV or a funny movie
- Talk to someone you trust and value
- Write down how you feel in a journal
- Remind yourself your worth, don’t doubt your capabilities
- Turn off your phone for awhile
I really want to emphasize the line I said in number six, “You have to block out thinking about the “worst-case scenario,” and instead consider no scenarios. Nothing will happen until it actually happens.” Yes, I am quoting myself how philosophical! But realistically, that’s the main problem with anxiety; it’s anticipating what happens next. NO. That’s what we have to fight to stop thinking about. It’s unrealistic to say that mastering that will stop all of your anxiety, but what I am saying is, identifying and striving to remove that central issue, will begin the journey of calming and gaining control of your mind.
Disclaimer: I am in no way a medical professional. Nothing said on this blog is meant to cure or diagnose anyone or anything. I just want others to know; they are not alone. I am only a 19-year-old girl who does make mistakes and may also get incorrect information. I try to interpret what I read/learn and relay it back in my own unique way. If anyone has an issue or correction to anything that is read on this site, feel free to contact me and let me know at “bemoreyouhealth@gmail.com” Thank you for reading and always share love and kindness.
Be More You 