I have been struggling with anxiety for years now, so I have come to recognize the warning signs before my body settles in for another episode. When I start to feel a heavy weight on my chest, or begin to have foggy yet rapid thoughts, I know I am right on the verge. These are some of the different ways I have learned to block my stress.

1. Write it down

This has been the most effective way I have ever found to ease out of an anxiety attack. During an anxiety/panic attack, your body is under immense amount of stress and your mind is flooded with irrational thoughts. Carry a notebook with you. Have several! Keep one at home, in your purse, at work, etc. Whenever the pressure builds – write down every single thing that comes into your mind. Don’t worry about spelling or anything, just get it out as it floods in. Then, don’t ever go back and re-read it. Let it be! Leave that episode in the past and continue on with your day as if the attack never happened.

2. Cleanse your mind

Everyone has their favorite way to relax. Take a hot bath or meditate! Try to enjoy just 10-15 minutes of relaxation and quietness. Calm your body to calm your mind. During this time, try not to think of anything. If a stressful thought comes to mind, ignore it and light another lavender scented candle to go along with your bath bomb! My favorite way to relax is to drink hot tea in my comfy chair while listening to ocean sounds.

3. Remind yourself that you're being irrational

There is nothing worse than being in the middle of a complete mental breakdown and someone telling you it’s not a big deal, because, seriously, IT IS A BIG DEAL. Regardless of how major or minor the occurrence is, it is obviously important enough to cause a complete loss of control. As a person who faces anxiety daily, I GET IT. But, I also understand that the occurrence can be irrational. It helps to have that little reminder that yes, you are being a little irrational. Not saying that you are overreacting. It’s better to think logically and not dramatically. Sometimes the best way to dig yourself out of a hole is to think rationally.

4. Exercise

ENDORPHINS! It’s a no-brainer that any type of exercise is good for the body. Getting your blood pumping is an excellent way to relieve physical and mental stress. Mental pressures can affect the way you feel daily. Releasing endorphins to the brain causes your mind to relax, which then sends a signal for the rest of your body to relax too. It’s not rocket science that working out has its advantages.

Also, just the act of running is a perfect way to cleanse your mind. Focusing on breathing, the repetitive sounds of your feet hitting the ground, only thought is where your next stop is.

5. Find a hobby

Get in a cycle of doing something that gives you a positive distraction. You don’t have to be good at it, just doing something repetitively when you start to feel the weight of anxiety can completely turn around an episode. Some people knit, others paint. I myself am not creative WHATSOEVER, so I clean. And I don’t mean just doing the dishes – like I seriously clean. I get to sooth my thoughts and my apartment gets to smell like Pine-sol. WIN-WIN!

6. Talk

Talk to anyone about anything. Talk about what is giving you the anxiety, or talk about what you had for dinner last night. Talk to your bestie, or talk to your cat. This has the same benefits as the aforementioned writing point. It gets all those chaotic thoughts out of your head. Once it’s out, it’s out. You can move on from it!