“Breaking down” anxiety is exactly that, breaking down. You constantly overthink the smallest things, you are sensitive and insecure. The empty feeling in your chest is so common that sometimes when you take you medicine and it relieves, it doesn’t feel normal. Your heart slows and your mind eases; something in you shifts and that’s when you know your anxiety medicine is working. Attacks are really attacks: your heart pounds and your eyes water. Food makes you nauseous, activities are dreadful and time is slow. To relieve some of the worst symptoms of anxiety without medicine consider these:

Hot Yoga: the class takes time, your body is relaxed and you are helping your health.

Draw: it’s a distraction, it's meant to keep your mind and hands busy.

Hike: fresh air is always healthy not just for your body but your soul.

Write: describe all those feelings you don’t think you can say out loud without crying, let out the frustration and pain.

Read a book: books are like watching movies, but they make you concentrate on the words. It's hard to think about other things when you are thinking about your story.

Hang out with puppies: dogs are proven to help with stress and anxiety. Multiple schools have dogs walk through libraries during finals week because of that. Go to a shelter and get a dozen kisses, or walk your own dogs — it benefits you and the dogs!

Go on a trip: if you get anxiety from traveling then this one isn’t for you, but if time is giving you anxiety a trip is a great idea! Friends or family fun in a new scenery will take your mind off whatever is tearing at your heart and mind.

Laugh: laughing is the best medicine, look up funny YouTube videos, old pictures, hang out with friends or family, whatever can make you giggle or smile will relieve some of that pain that you are so used to.

The worst thing to do when you are having an anxiety attack is to let it win. Don’t sit around watching TV or do things that continue to give you anxiety. Do the things that make you happy and smile. You can cure your anxiety without prescription drugs; cure it with happiness.

Anxiety can be triggered by others actions or words. It can come from social gatherings, traveling, or sometimes just anxiety from random scary thoughts. Love yourself, look in the mirror in the morning and tell yourself to make the best of the day. The pain is just in your head; until there is something to worry about — don’t. Breathe and stay calm, take your medicine when you need to and slowly get off of it, don’t let anxiety take over your life because it will restrict you from some of the most exciting days of your life.