In today's society, anxiety is a commonly misunderstood thing. The general assumption is that people with anxiety are just scared of something, or everything. Don't get me wrong, fear is a huge part of anxiety; fear of failure, fear of what others think, fear of being surrounded by people, fear of being alone. Fear is sometimes what causes us to panic; we get a heavy feeling, almost suffocating, that makes it hard to breathe and think.

For me, when I have an anxiety attack, it feels like I'm free falling. There's nothing for me to reach for. I can't breathe. I'm just falling, never knowing when or if I'll hit the ground. It's terrifying. You can't stop your mind from overthinking and overanalyzing everything. Thankfully, I have found some ways of coping, and I feel obligated to share. Here are some things that help me.

1. Make a list. Sometimes your head is too full of things you need to do to focus. Seeing them written out on paper can help you calm down and make a decision for your plan of attack.

2. Take a bath. Baths help relax the body, and therefore the mind.

3. Listen to or play music. Music stimulates all parts of the brain and releases hormones that improve your mood.

4. Take a nap. Naps provide a new start for the day, allowing you to dissolve your worries and create a better day for yourself.

5. Find a cuddle-buddy. Cuddling has been found to kill depression, relieve anxiety, and strengthen the immune system. Plus, as an added bonus, there's the comfort of not being alone and feeling another human being’s body heat.

I hope these things help you as they have helped me!