Anxiety is a word that gets thrown around a lot lately. We as a society are in a better place when it comes to de-stigmatizing issues related to mental health and as a result, a lot of people are much more open about their struggles with anxiety. I personally struggle with three different anxiety disorders; OCD, generalized anxiety disorder and panic attacks and have never taken medication for any of them by choice. For obvious reasons; the choice whether or not to take the prescription drug route for treatment is an extremely personal decision and one that I never judge people for one way or another. Having weighed the pros and cons of taking anti-anxiety medication I came to the decision from a young age that in lieu of taking drugs, I wanted to self-manage my symptoms and have done so ever since. Though I am no medical expert, here are some things that I have found tremendously helpful in managing my anxiety.

1. Yoga

I've been practicing yoga on and off for the past few years as I am able to attend, and I cannot even begin to tell you how much of a positive impact it has had on my life. Yoga is a wonderful way to engage both your mind and body in mindful relaxation. The combination of exercise and meditation is perfect for anyone suffering from anxiety. As cliche as it sounds, yoga has, in many ways, helped to center me and keep me focused less on negative topics as people with anxiety are inclined to do.

2. Avoiding stimulants, especially caffeine

This may be a difficult one in our coffee-obsessed culture but excessive amounts of caffeine and other stimulants can actually worsen anxiety in many people. This one has never been that hard for me as I'm not a fan of coffee or soda but I do enjoy black tea which has some caffeine, just not as much as coffee. Once I realized that caffeine was causing palpitations, I also found that my panic attacks had increased. Now if I'm going to drink caffeinated tea, I limit it to only a cup a day in the morning.

3. Acupuncture

For many people, the idea of spending an hour getting poked with needles is not their cup of tea (see what I did there?) and I for a long time was one of those people. I have an extreme phobia of needles but decided to suck it up and give acupuncture a try, and was glad I did. I can honestly say that I have never felt more relaxed than the times when I have spent the morning getting poked with needles. If you can get over your squeamishness, you may want to give acupuncture a try!

4. Aroma Therapy

It may sound very hippie dippy for some, but aroma therapy can be very effective in helping to alleviate anxiety. The process works by using relaxing scents like lavender, chamomile and bergamot to send feel-good neurons the limbic center of the brain. Depending on the scent, the process of sniffing different types of essential oils triggers different reactions from the brain, which can help with mood and calming down.

5. Long Walks

As a lazy person who's allergic to fitness, walking is my go-to for exercise. After a long walk, I find that my mind is more at ease and I feel healthier as well without breaking too much of a sweat or working my heart rate up too much, I call this a win-win.

6. Talk Therapy

We all love our friends and family but let's face it, it's hard for them to remain objective, especially when you share personal information with them. Our loved ones usually are the ones with the most vested interest in our wellness, and in turn their advice may not be the most helpful. They may also simply not be equipped to help you with your problems which is why it is a good idea to seek counseling with a licensed professional to talk about how anxiety effects you personally. If you are worried about financial difficulties, check with your college's wellness center to provide you with free services. College is the only time in your life where you can get free therapy, why not take advantage?

7. Limiting Social Media Use

This is a big one for me, as I work with social media both on a personal and professional level daily. It's easier said than done to unplug but there is a lot of research that shows that technology is not good for people who struggle with anxiety. Even if it's just setting a number goal like "I will only spend five hours with media today instead of 10", this can help tremendously with negative feelings associated with the use of social media platforms.