Anxiety is a word we hear on the news, in magazines, even in commercials and television shows. It is that one word that those who deal with it hate to hear. Some deal with anxiety more than others do. But one big question to ask is, what is anxiety?
According to WebMD, "Many people feel anxious, or nervous, when faced with a problem at work, before taking a test, or making an important decision. Anxiety disorders, however, are different. They can cause such distress that it interferes with a person's ability to lead a normal life. An anxiety disorder is a serious mental illness." The stress of college is quite a lot to handle and that is especially true for those who are incoming freshman as well as seniors. As someone who battles anxiety and depression on a daily basis, just know you are never alone. We are all familiar with that feeling of loneliness, thinking that no one is there to help us out. It is okay though, because millions of Americans suffer with this disorder daily.
When you have anxiety, the most important step is to first get help, whether that be from getting medication from your doctor or finding a psychologist to talk to. Even after that, outlets are extremely important to find when you have anxiety.
Outlets help you to calm down and also are something that you should enjoy doing to feel great. Examples of these could be something like going to the mall, driving, getting a tattoo, hanging out with friends, playing with puppies, reading a book, listening to music, etc. Find something that makes you comfortable. Something that makes you feel good inside and out, either by doing it alone or with someone close to you. Just remember, your best friends are your best outlets, as they're there for you through thick and thin. Never be afraid to ask for help from family, either, as they know you better than anyone else, sometimes even better than yourself.
You know it's okay though to be afraid, to have fear inside of you, and even to feel uncomfortable. Someone with anxiety tends to have lots of uncomfortable feelings, and you just have to get out of that discomfort zone. It will take time, but you will see how much it is worth it. New people, places, and ideas are also scary for someone who deals with social anxiety. It could even be as simple as test anxiety as well.
Anxiety can be viewed to some as a monster, one that attacks you inside and out. No matter how big or how small that monster is, be sure to find an outlet that gets you away from that monster. You may not be able to defeat it completely, but at least enough to keep it away and keep your anxiety low. I always say the biggest life lesson I have been taught is to find the greatest things in the darkest times of your life. Find that outlet, as that is greatest gift you'll have in the darkest anxiety-ridden time of your life. That is the light at the end of the tunnel.
