Anxiety is something that is not talked about that often. It is a real struggle and a serious mental health issue. A lot of people struggle with anxiety, and we do not even realize it. It is hard to tell when someone is dealing with it, because it is an inward battle that they are fighting.
Living With It
I have been living with anxiety ever since I can remember. It is a battle that I have been fighting ever since I was young. I do not know how it started and have tried numerous ways to control it. There are things that will work for a small amount of time, but the anxiety will eventually come flooding back.
Living with anxiety is constantly thinking the worst and always having negative thoughts pop up without invitation. You always want to prepare for the absolute worst, even when you know what is going to happen. Unpredictable situations are someone who is living with anxiety’s worst nightmare. We are always preparing for the worst and thinking “well what if this happens?” in every single situation we are going to be in. It is a constant struggle and it can never be turned off.
What Makes You Anxious
If you are also living with anxiety, a good way to help cope with it would be to try to figure out what it is that makes you anxious? Are you anxious all the time or just when you are in certain situations? Is it when you are around a lot of people? What is it that makes you anxious?
For me, it can be when I am around a lot of people, especially new people and when I do not know anyone. I hate being in uncomfortable social situations. Pinpointing my anxiety and figuring out what makes me anxious has really helped me gain control over my anxiety, rather than letting it control me.
How To Cope With It
Learning how to cope with my anxiety and how to get a handle on it has made living with my anxiety so much easier, and even made it nonexistent at times. Here are some of the things that I do to cope with my anxiety:
Going to a Psychiatrist
One of the best decisions I have made was to go to a psychiatrist. I was able to understand my anxiety more and what makes me anxious, and also get medication for it. I know medication is not always the ideal form of coping, but it definitely helps when in desperate need and if your anxiety can get really bad.
Being More Present
I find that being more present and living in the moment makes things easier and I am happier. I try not to worry about things that are going to happen in the future, especially if they are things that I do not need to worry about and are out of my control.
Breathing
When I am anxious, I have realized that I never breathe. Try to focus on your breathing and remind yourself to breathe. Take deep breaths, close your eyes and focus for a minute. Remind yourself that everything is going to be okay.
Yoga
If you can take a yoga class, I found that this was really helpful to calm my anxiety, not only is it calming for your mind, but also healthy for your body. If you cant take a yoga class, any form of exercise is also helpful, just be sure to try to clear your mind during this time.
Self Care
It is easy to push things aside and focus on your responsibilities and not set aside time to care for yourself. Taking care of yourself is most important. Make sure at the very least that you are doing the important things like eating and getting enough sleep. It is easy to skip meals and stay up late, especially in college, but make sure you are eating and sleeping at the necessary times.
You Are Not Alone
Know that you are not alone in your struggles. There are so many other people that are living with anxiety or any other mental illness. It is way more common than people realize. You should not be embarrassed or ashamed of it, because you are not alone. You are so loved and so much more than your anxiety or any other mental illness.
