Anxiety is complicated. A lot of people still don’t understand that it’s not something you can control. It’s not something you can just make stop happening. It sucks totally and completely. The constant worry, the endless nights of not being able to fall asleep, and the never ending stress can be unbearable for some people. And while, no, you can’t make completely go away, I’ve found (from my experience) that there are some adjustments I have made that have actually been really helpful. These may not be applicable for you because I know everyone deals with anxiety differently, but I hope that maybe a couple of these points will help.
1. Eliminate the people from your life who trigger your anxiety.
There are some people you don’t need in your life, and the longer you let them stay, the worse your anxiety will be. If you begin to notice your anxiety increasing when you hear their name, see a post about them on social media, or see them in person, you know it’s time to cut them loose.
2. Have someone you know you can call at any time when you’re having an attack.
For me this is my mom. I know I can always count on her to be there for me no matter what. It can also be a best friend, your sister, or anyone you trust wholeheartedly that will be there for you during the terrifying moments of an attack.
3. Delete certain (or all) social media accounts for a while.
Social media has been proven in so many psychological studies to increase anxiety in teens and young adults. It creates a false perception of reality that leads to unhealthy comparisons especially among women. Do yourself a favor and take a step back every once in a while and see if it helps calm your anxiety.
4. Listen to other people’s problems.
This may seem odd, but when I take a second and listen to what my friends are going through, I no longer feel so alone. Not everyone has anxiety, but everyone IS going through something.
5. Talk to a doctor about seeking treatment for anxiety.
Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but it doesn’t hurt to try.
6. Try to gradually expose yourself to situations that heighten your anxiety.
For some people, immersing themselves in conditions that typically cause them anxiety repeatedly helps to desensitize them to the experience, ultimately lowering their anxiety in similar situations.
7. Pray.
Out of everything I’ve listed, this is probably the thing that has helped me the most. Taking some quiet time for myself to pray and to be with God has a very calming effect on me, and I have other friends who have told me the same thing.