There's water in your lungs. Your only chance for air is right above you but, it's blocked by thrashing waves and currents strong enough that they could leave boats stranded for days. Swimming towards the sun is a constant battle between you and the sea.
That is what anxiety feels like. It feels as if all the determination that has taken so long to gather together isn't enough. I have been fighting my battle with my own mind and my anxiety for a little over a year now. I know that my anxiety will always be around. I know that I will have bad days and good days, but I have learned how to live with my anxiety through simple changes to my life. These are some of the things that I've found to help when you're someone living with anxiety.
1. Going Outside
For many with anxiety, the task of simply getting out of bed can feel painful. But I can promise once you take that second step towards your bedroom door, everything will seem so much easier. Even if you just lay down in the grass in your front yard and count the clouds or stand outside while it steadily rains, a calmness will grow in your mind and spread through you. Not only is going outside relaxing, it is absolutely free of charge
2. Swimming
Water is the most powerful and most relaxing force on the planet. Swimming is not only a subtle form exercise which in turn releases endorphins to improve your mood, but swimming allows you to be focused and at one with yourself.
3. Fitness
How I found out that fitness was a tool I could use to help cope with my anxiety was almost like an epiphany. Whenever I was feeling stressed or frustrated with a situation, I would go running and I wouldn't stop until my stress had seemed to drain through my feet and into the pavement. Then, it just became a habit. When you're occupied with working out, you're in your own personal where the only person that matters is you.
4. Eating Healthy.
There is nothing wrong with eating an awesome hamburger or going out for Waffle Cone Wednesday. I mean, how can you deny Waffle Cone Wednesday? Behind my anxiety tagged along a great deal of insecurity in not only my actions but in how I appeared. My mom has always been one to eat fairly healthy and when I followed suit, I noticed that not only was I looking better but, my mood improved. I didn't feel so drowsy and bogged down. There are even certain foods that can help relax you and improve your mood such as leafy green veggies, bananas, citrus fruits, dark chocolate, and fish.
5. Being Artistic...even if you're not an artist.
Brush strokes and pencil lines on paper or canvas draw the stress out from your body. The action of painting or drawing is a motion that is so cathartic. Creating art allows your brain to focus on the task of creation rather than the stresses of your world around you. You may not be Monet, but that doesn't mean you can't just simply create.
6. Build a Steady Routine
Yes, life can be unpredictable and surprising and that can be wonderful and worrying all at the same time. Developing a steady routine for yourself lets you know that you have control of your life. So wake up at the same time, meditate at the same time, workout on the same days. Give yourself the control you need.
These tips may not be for everyone and that's okay. Each person has different ways of coping or helping themselves.The one tip I do know that helps everyone is deciding to take the first into helping yourself become better. Please do not deny yourself a better a life. Do not deny yourself the opportunity to improve because you can. The hardest part is saving yourself from yourself but once you do, you will be all the better.
