Coping With Anxiety

Photo: The Tab 

You've been in bed for some time now. Head spinning, thoughts rambling, it's as if worries keep coming upon you, even when you don't want them to. We've all been there, felt as if the world was on our shoulders, pushed through the day with a look of hopelessness, we've all seen anxiety. The bright side of it is that there are many ways of coping with anxiety; because even if we can't get rid of it, we can suppress it, because we all deserve to live happily.

The worse thing to do is reject the acknowledgment of anxiety, whether it be shame or sheer denial. One of the most important ways of coping with anxiety is becoming aware of our emotions, and how much we can tolerant before things go bad. When we become aware of our emotions, we become more able to react in the way that we want to, being in more control and not doing things we wouldn't normally. I'd suggest that next time while in a spurt of anxiety, to step back for a second and become aware of what you're feeling, and why. That way, any decision made is a decision thought of, not solely coming from what you're feeling at the moment.

Along with stepping back to become aware of our emotions, we should take some time for ourselves. To let ourselves rest for the upcoming day, or to let ourselves breathe after a long period of time spent active. Just listening to music or meditating is one of the many things that the ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America) suggest people do to 'take a time-out' and relax. Understand the importance of taking time for yourself. Downtime gives a moment to reflect on the things that we've done, and process all the emotions felt throughout the day.  Without it, we would be forced to bundle it up and continue our life of getting everything done for others, and not for ourselves.

Photo: Ally Psychological 

Anxiety is an uncomfortable emotion for everyone, but everyone has different ways of handling it. No matter how much we want to get rid of it, we have to meet the day to accept it. Accept that from time to time we feel anxious and a bit overwhelmed with life. Accept the flaws in ourselves and the fact that there is no such thing as 'perfect'. And lastly, accept that just like any other emotion, anxiety will pass, and we can continue the day knowing how to deal with it if it spawns again.

by Lucas W.


Works Cited:

Greene, Benjamin. "6 reasons why you need to take time for yourself." Family Share. https://familyshare.com/24843/6-reasons-why-you-need-to-take-time-for-yourself

"Tips to Manage Anxiety and Stress." Anxiety and Depression Association of America.  https://adaa.org/tips-manage-anxiety-and-stress

"5 Top Tips for coping with anxiety." Priory Group. http://www.priorygroup.com/blog/mental-health/5-top-tips-for-coping-with-anxiety