According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, approximately 18.1% of the nation's population struggles with an anxiety disorder.

I lay in my bed. My Christmas-style lights are hanging above me, and my room is clean. The last few days of summer and Netflix is playing on my laptop. I shouldn't have a care in the world.

But I do.

Many.

Actually.

All of a sudden.

It's like a whirl wind of emotions, feelings, thoughts, and ideas in my head at once. As if someone is sitting on top of me, I can't lay in this bed anymore. My jittery hands try to keep busy as I begin scrolling through social media, trying to think of something else. My heart starts to race and before I know it I can't catch my breath. Tears stream down as a rollercoaster of emotions hits me like a ton of bricks.

An anxiety attack.

I'm not even sure I know what caused it, but that's just the thing about anxiety. It just creeps up on you for no reason sometimes. What an asshole thing to do.

A way that I overcome my anxiety is by keeping my hands busy, and focusing on something else. I've tried deep breathing, mediation, listening to music, talking it out, and nothing quite works as well for me as one thing – doing my makeup. Most people would probably laugh as that's the one thing that makes my anxiety go away, but what can I say, it's how I deal with it. It brings my mind to total peace.

By focusing on your own beauty, makeup is such a stress reliever. The only thing you're focusing on is your face, your brushes, and your creativity. It's a way that sets my mind at ease and truly makes me feel amazing inside. When you do your makeup, you completely free your mind. You're not focusing on anything else except what's in the mirror. It's like when I pick up my BeautyBlender, or my Morphe R37 (beauty lovers, you know what I'm talking about), all my worries are behind me. By keeping my hands and my mind busy, it completely allows me to get rid of any anxious thoughts that had been haunting me prior.

Makeup is one of my biggest hobbies. It consumes my life. I love the way it makes me feel, the way it looks, and the art of it all. Whether I'm doing my own makeup or watching countless hours of beauty influencer's YouTube videos, makeup has always been something that has made me happy, inside and out.

Makeup isn't worn just for image. Makeup isn't worn just for the confidence it provides. Makeup is worn for the freedom and control. Makeup is worn for the mindfulness, self-care. Many people view makeup as just creams, powders, and liquids. But it's definitely more than just a beauty product. And hey, it's cheaper than therapy!

I don't think many people see beauty as a remedy for anxiety or depression. I think it's so critical that anybody struggling with either makes time for themselves each day so they can see their true beauty and focus on something that has the ability to place their mind completely at ease.