Show Anxiety The Door

Image source

Anxiety can make life really difficult to live. The things that once seemed so simple to you like going to the grocery store or attending a dinner party with good friends, suddenly become the most difficult things in the world. Your heart beats faster and your mouth gets dry just contemplating doing those things and your brain is constantly engaged in fight or flight mode, worrying about anything and everything.

It sucks. If you’re suffering from anxiety you know that, but you know what? It is possible to get through it. You should definitely see your doctor and maybe a therapist because medication and anxiety can help a lot. As well as doing that, there are lots of things you can do for yourself that will help to push anxiety a little further towards the door if not right out of it…

Learn Mindfulness

You’d be forgiven for thinking that mindfulness is the latest new age buzzword, but it’s so much more than that and it shouldn’t be so easily dismissed. There is lots of evidence to suggest that learning how to live in the moment, quelling your negative thoughts and putting them into greater perspective, which is exactly what mindfulness teaches you to do, can lessen symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress and much more besides. If you can’t find a qualified teacher to show you the ropes, apps like Headspace and Calm are very effective. Give it time – mindfulness won’t get rid of your anxiety immediately –  and you should notice an improvement.

Get an Emotional Support Animal

You should never bring home an animal unless you are ready to take on the responsibility for its care, but if you have a safe place and lots of time and love to dedicate to a pet, getting a support animal could really help you. Animals have such a soothing and reassuring effect on us, that having one by your side when you’re most anxious can really help to soothe your mind and soul. Before you go out and get a dog though, be sure to check the esa laws to ensure that you’ll be entitled to have one and bring it along with you most places you go. If this is something you want to do, you need to be responsible about it.

Do Some Yoga

Yoga is a gentle form of exercise which helps to connect your mind and body and have both working in harmony together for a greater sense of peace. It also releases endorphins that will give you a happiness boost so that you will feel much better all-round.

Expose Yourself to Your Fears

Okay, so this is probably going to sound really scary to you and you might resist doing it, but if you take baby steps and slowly expose yourself to the things that are causing you anxiety (take a friend along if necessary) and you keep doing it, you will start to realise that it isn’t so scary after all and your anxiety should lessen over time. If you’re worried about doing this, talk to a therapist and have them guide you through the process.

Anxiety sucks, but it doesn’t have to be permanent and if you take some action (no matter how small) to fight it, things will get better, just you wait and see.

Sarah x