My anxiety has always been very illusive. It comes and goes as it pleases, making it difficult to understand. It pops up during stressful times, like if I have a big exam coming up, which at least seems to make sense. But other times it will strike me on a random calm afternoon, leaving me completely confused at the cause. I've never experienced anything more unsettling than to feel completely calm one moment and to suddenly start having a panic attack the next. Anxiety is something I have dealt with for years and over time I have developed my own, personal self remedies. Here's hoping they can help someone else out too.

1. Try to exercise regularly

I know you've been told this already but I am here to reiterate. I know it can be impossible but try to find the time in your day to do at least one activity that gets you moving. If nothing else, go for a walk. Sweat it out, listen to your favorite songs. I promise you this will help relieve your day to day anxiety. It's not just that it is physically healthy for you, but it gives you an outlet to clear your head.

2. Take a bubble bath

Another cliche that rings true. This goes for any and everyone that is feeling even slightly stressed out. It is my person belief that there is nothing a bubble bath can't fix.

3. Find helpful pressure points

The first time I experienced a panic attack I, for lack of a better word, panicked and searched on google for what to do. The first thing I stumbled upon told me to apply pressure to my throat and that it should relieve some tension. I don't know if it was mostly in my head but it seemed to help and I have since expanded to applying pressure to other points such as squeezing my wrists and palms.

4. Write it out

Just start writing. Anything will do. If there is something weighing on your mind, let it out. If you have nothing to say, make something up. Writing is such a constructive way to relieve stress and I find having a journal to be one of the most long-lasting anxiety relievers.

5. Draw or color

Drawing is another outlet that can help you channel your anxiety. Whenever I am feeling overwhelmed or anxious during a class I always begin to doodle in my notes. It may seem like I am just messing around and not paying attention but it is actually my way of keeping my mind focused and present.

6. Trust yourself

When you experience anxiety, especially in the form of a panic attack, it feels like something terrible and unknown is about to happen to you. You experience physical symptoms that make you afraid something bad is actually going to happen. But you know this feeling. No one knows it better than you and your body. You know that it is just your anxiety, you know how to deal with it and you know that you have survived it before and can do it again. Trust in yourself, know that it is only temporary and that you are safe. Tell yourself this.

7. Accept it

Stop fighting it, let it in. You have anxiety and the more time you exhaust running from it or trying to defeat it the bigger it'll grow. Stop wasting so much energy and head space on it. The more thought you give it the more powerful it becomes. If you spend all your time thinking about one thing, that thing is bound to be a big part of your life. Don't let it. Next time you're being affected by your anxiety, just completely let it in. Don't try to stop it or change it. This will allow you to develop a greater understanding of it. Acceptance allows you to stop feeding energy into your anxieties.

My anxiety is something I will deal with my whole life. But with the help of these concepts I have managed to make it a much more minimal part of it. Anxiety is complex and no two people really have the same experience, so it is crucial that you test out different methods and find what works for you.