Anxiety: almost everyone's dreaded feeling. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, anxiety is "a fear or nervousness about what might happen." If you have ever experienced anxiety, you could probably verify this statement and deem it true. Believe it or not, most people experience anxiety whether it is obvious or not. Sometimes, you can know someone forever, and you will never know that they have anxiety. Other times, it could be completely obvious. Out of this, I think the most important thing to know is how to cope with all of these anxious feelings because if you do not know how, it could progressively get worse. Here are a few things that help me banish my anxiety and help me to carry on with a more clear mind.
1. Take a step back.
In the heat of the moment, everything all at once may seem like the world is coming to an end. Fear not, for the world is actually not coming to an end and everything will eventually get better. Sometimes, getting out of your own head and separating yourself from the demons in your mind and the real world can give you a reality check. It helps you to realize that everything will be okay, and if you look at the situation in a different light, it eventually starts to not seem so bad.
2. Focus on your breathing.
As minor as this may sound, it could be the temporary cure to your vicious anxiety. More often than not, people forget that the simplest things have the biggest impacts. Hyperventilating in these situations will add on to the anxiety and the circumstances at hand. Aiming your focus on taking deep, calm breaths will first calm your heart rate and then take your focus off the problem that is causing your anxiety. Sometimes laying down on your bed and watching your stomach move up and down while breathing is an instant cure in and of itself.
3. Find somebody to talk to.
As hard as it may be to open up to somebody, talking your problems out may be the best thing that you can do for yourself. Whether it be your mom, dad, boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend, brother, sister, or even your pet, just getting it all out and having someone to listen could be all of the help you need at that moment.
4. Find something that you like to do.
For me, I like to write, read, or listen to music when I am anxious. I look at these as my escape from whatever is going on, and it helps me to get my mind off of everything that is bothering me. Take your favorite hobby or your favorite thing to do, and put it to good use!
5. Take a shower.
I'm not sure about you, but a lot of my positive thoughts and ideas originate in the shower. Whatever it takes to become more positive, take up that opportunity! Even taking a cold shower can take your mind off of the anxiety you are experiencing because your mind is now not thinking about the problem, it is thinking about how cold the water is!
Anxiety may be difficult to overcome, but all of these little mechanisms are what matter to help get you back on track, and thinking straight again!
