One thing I've personally struggled with a lot in my life is anxiety. It's something I've seen many of friends, family members, and even strangers try to juggle with on a regular basis. Whether or not you have an anxiety disorder, you've probably experienced some type of stress in your lifetime.
Sometimes, anxiety can get the best of us, especially if you do have a history of mental illness. At times, it might even feel like it has power over you. Here are just a few ways I've learned to make anxiety a little easier to live with.
1. Don’t make it acceptable to insult yourself.
If you get absolutely nothing from this article, at least take this. As human beings, we have a habit of being our own worst critics. Most of the time, you're making comments about yourself you wouldn't dare say to another person. The negativity that comes with picking on your own insecurities is only going to make you more self-conscious, and even anxious.
2. Make yourself the priority.
As selfish as this may sound, taking care of yourself should be above all else. It's quite common for us to get caught up in other people's problems and ignore our own. As said by many others before me, you can't take care of others effectively until you take care of yourself.
3. Write things down.
Your mind is full of thousands upon thousands of thoughts and is constantly processing new information. This overload of information can sometimes cause us extra stress. Writing things down will help you work your way through overthinking. It can be anything from a few words to a couple dozen pages.
4. Forgive yourself.
Getting angry at yourself for something small will only validate your negative thoughts, and make you even more anxious. Instead, whenever you feel like you've made a mistake, remind yourself you can and you will do better.
5. Come up with your own coping skills.
Not all anxiety is created equal, and neither are the ways we cope. Some days, one thing may work, and other days, it'll only make things worse. Having multiple ways to get a handle on your stress will help you be prepared for it.
In the end, we're all only human and nothing is meant to be absolutely perfect. Just remember, you're not on your own.
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