Tips for Living with Anxiety

Tips for living with anxiety from someone who has it.

There are a million and five websites that will give you tips and tricks for living with your anxiety. However, this is my list that I made from my own personal experience with anxiety.

1. Take a second and breathe

Now this is basically on every list you'll find on the internet. You've probably seen this one and tried it. Does it always work? Hell no it doesn't. However, I've found that forcing myself to focus on my breathing can start to calm the anxiety storm. It takes a few forced deep breaths but soon I'm calm enough to start thinking straight again.

If you work somewhere that will let you go outside for a few minutes, do it and breathe that fresh air in deep.

2. Tell your thoughts to STFU

I can't say I've seen this one too often but here it is. I was sitting at my desk the other day when my boss threw a pile of paperwork at me. "This needs to be done by the end of the day." She said and my mind instantly went insane with rushing thoughts. My anxiety skyrocketed to a point I thought I was going to throw up. So I used Tip 1 above and then told my thoughts to shut up.

Deep breath, "You can't get it done! There is no way!", "Shut up. I can get it done. Its not that much honestly." Rinse. Repeat. I keep doing this until I've got my confidence up and I power through whatever is in my way.

3. Find a hobby

Again, this is a generic tip but find a hobby to keep your hands busy and your mind calm. I've found that having a creative hobby where you make a finished product weirdly helps. I embroider and I'm getting ready to start painting. While I'm not amazing at either of these things, I feel a sense of pride when I get done with a piece.

You don't have to be perfect at it. You just have to do it. Prove your anxiety wrong. Show it you can do the thing and keep doing the thing.

4. Remember no one is perfect

Comparison is thief of joy. I'm not sure exactly who said that but I've come to learn it is true. I follow a lot of other embroiders on Instagram who are a million times better than I am. This causes not only my anxiety but my depression to flare. Its honestly a trigger but then I remind myself that I'm still new and I use their IGs as inspiration and a place to learn new techniques.

Everyone was new at something at one point. It doesn't matter what it was. Just because you/your work isn't as good as [insert name of whoever here] it doesn't mean you aren't good. This applies to you as a person, a hobby, losing weight, whatever it may be.

5. Learn your triggers

Knowing your triggers is a major thing. I recommend keeping a journal or using a note app on your phone to note what is causing your anxiety to go insane. It took me almost 2 years of working my job for me to realize that my workplace is a trigger. (Office politics have only made this worse.) Knowing this has allowed me to realize I need to get up a little earlier in the morning to take a few deep breaths and get myself ready to face the day.

Learning your triggers can help you face them without the fear of knowing a potential anxiety attack is on the way.

6. Talk it out

This one is a weird one but it does help. If my anxiety is triggered, I start mumbling to myself. Now that does seem insane but I swear it helps. I get to voice my anxious thoughts and usually, I find myself questioning why I'm so worried about why Brenda was whispering to Susan when they were more than likely talking about work and not about me. Being able to take a bathroom break or go outside on a five minute break also helps because it gives you somewhere a little more private to talk to yourself.

This also works with a significant other, a good friend who understands, or a therapist if you have one. I've come to find it also helps me understand how my anxiety works.

7. Have fun!

Anyone with anxiety knows it isn't easy to have fun. Those anxious thoughts tell you that no one wants to see you try Just Dance with your friends. Those thoughts will tell you that no one wants to hear you karaoke. Well, look back to Tip 2 and just go have fun! Go out with your friends. If the anxiety starts building, tell it no and you're going to have fun. Let loose! Go sing your heart out no matter how off key it is. Go play Just Dance even if you have no rhythm.

Anxiety has stopped me from just going out and having fun. It took me awhile but now I'll go run around after my kids in the park and not care who sees. I just go out, have fun, and live my life with my anxiety taking a temporary back seat.

8. Unplug from it all

Seriously. Plan a day or a weekend where you unplug. Turn your phone off (or put it on silent) and take time away from the internet. You could still binge The Office for the millionth time or chill with The Great British Baking Show but stay off the internet. Ignore Twitter, Facebook, etc. Read a book you've been wanting to read but you "haven't had time for." Finish that video game you swore you'd finish one day. Work on that hobby I listed above. Go out in nature or just take a walk around the neighborhood if you can.

I mean, lets be serious, everyone needs to unplug every now and again anyway. Social media and the internet itself is so ingrained in us that sometimes we forget their is a world outside of it.

9. Don't be afraid of medication

This is one that took me longer than I like to admit to learn. While I'm still trying to find a psychiatrist to help me, I can say that I've seen others flourish after finding the right medication. Not everything can be done by pure willpower alone.

So please, do not be afraid to find a mental health professional who can help you in so many more ways than articles on the internet can.

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This list was made to share what I've learned from living with anxiety my entire life. I know a lot of it is generic but you never know. Maybe my own personal experiences and words will help you more than the other lists you've read have.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to comment below. I'll answer just about anything you want to know.

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