I am an anxious person. I have been, and almost certainly will always be. Many of the hours in my day are spent worrying over what one might view as minuscule things. For example, whether or not a certain facial expression I make will affect the relationship I have with another individual. Or how many steps I might have to walk to balance out the large pint of ice cream I just consumed. I am a worrier.
I originally thought I might narrate every single anxious thought someone like me experiences in a 24-hour period of time, but I realized that is impossible. There is absolutely no way I could put into words every single fear and worry that enters my mind. No way. And not only was that a daunting task in itself, but I began to think about the fact that people would be reading it. People would be reading into the very things that make me scared. The big things and the small things. The rational and the irrational. And that’s a pretty anxiety provoking thought.
Anxiety is extremely difficult for me and I know for many others out there. I have spent, and will continue to spend, time trying to figure out what I can do to prevent teetering on an anxious edge from turning into toppling headfirst over it. What I do may not work for all, but I think for anyone struggling with anxiety, whatever form it may be, here are a few things to try.1. Take a stroll
Soak in everything the world has to offer. Get outside. Sometimes all it takes is a walk in the woods or a walk down a big concrete slab of road.
2. Breathe
Yes, I know, this sounds so dumb and ridiculous and you’re probably thinking to yourself, “is she kidding right now?! You know how many times people tell me to breathe and they think it’s going to work? It doesn't.” Just calm down, and do it. Take a breath. It helps.
3. Find a friend
Or call your mom. Or your long distance friends. Just call, text, find somebody. Get in touch with someone that you know will help you see the world more clearly. That stain on your shirt? No, the whole world does not notice it.
4. Go to the gym
Take that stroll I mentioned earlier up a notch and venture to the gym. Because we all know that: “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t.”
5. Eat a snack
You never know, maybe you’re just super hungry. Or maybe you’re not. But eat a snack, whether it be your favorite ice cream flavor or some trusty hummus.
6. Pet a dog
Or a cat. Or a lizard. I neglected that this relieves stress for the longest time, but it really does.
The list could go on and on...listen to your favorite song, dance it out, drink some tea, ect. But start here and then venture forward. You can live with anxiety. It's brutal sometimes, but you can.
