JOURNAL: Writing down my feelings does wonders for me. I don’t know but it is something about sitting down putting pen to paper and just letting the words flow. When you are writing things down in a safe space it allows you to not hold anything back and for me that is so comforting. I find that when I write, I can leave my worries, frustrations, and anything else that is bothering me on in that notebook. I can let it all out, I don’t have to worry about what others would think or what others will say. It’s just something for me. I also find myself writing the most when I have restless nights. Laying in bed, tossing and turning not able to sleep, I will get up and just write. And when I tell you I sleep like a baby after that, I DO! Literally being able to drop the weight of your world on a piece of paper is such a great feeling for me. If you haven’t tried it, I encourage you to for sure!
Diffuser & Essential Oils: If you follow me on social media, you know I love my essential oils and diffuser. If you walk into my home odds are the diffuser is going. (I try to make sure the pups are outside or not in direct line to the diffuser because I do know that some of the oils, dogs are sensitive to). Research has shown that diffusing essential oils can help with tension, anxiety, stress, etc. Aromatherapy is what they call it. You can often find it being offered in massage therapy and things like that. So I am a huge believer in the benefits of diffusing oils. My favorite essential oil “cocktail” is a mixture of lemon, lavender, and “Stress Away” which is lime oil and vanilla extract. I have found that mixture to help the most when I am super anxious or stressed out. I would definitely say experiment and see what works best for you as well. Start with a common recipe and then add whatever other essential oil you like here and there and come out with your very own concoction.
Essential Oils I Use: https://www.youngliving.com/en_US?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7daJnNTU3QIVF_5kCh1hgg3LEAAYASAAEgIyE_D_BwE
Take a walk/Exercise– RELEASE THOSE ENDORPHINS! I find this tip to be one that has multiple benefits. Exercising can for one, take your mind off of the situation because of the endorphins. Endorphins are known to trigger a positive feeling in the body. You just feel happy and have a different outlook on life. I know that after I workout I feel like I can concur anything! What anxiety? What stress? (Haha) No but seriously, working out can open my mind and give me a fresh start. I can face that problem that was making me stress so much.
Play with my dogs– Now everyone knows that my dogs Quavo and Nobu are my life. I am obsessed and am not ashamed. So having them has been a compete Godsend. I do believe that animals can feel real human emotions and can tell when their owner isn’t themselves or are feeling a certain way. I know that because of the way that my dogs change their whole attitude. They hang around me more, rest their head on me, or want more attention from me. Having that comfort and security from these animals has helped me a lot with dealing with my anxiety. A lot of my anxiety comes from not being able to control things or the unknown, but having these angels in my life has brought a sense of calm to my life. If you are able to properly take care of an animal, love them and show them attention and deal with anxiety like I do, I HIGHLY reccomend getting a pet to love on and them to Love on you, it will change your life.
Breathing exercises– Just breathe. Life can be so overwhelming and have a lot going on that we all can really forget to breathe. That’s how panic attacks happen, when you’re so anxious/panicked and feel like the whole world is crashing down on you. Just breathe. Breathing for me allows me to focus on my body and mind. I begin to think more and freakout less.
Talk to someone/professional– I am a huge believer in that. For me it’s really about swallowing my pride and realizing I do not have all the answers. I don’t know everything and I should go to someone and get another opinion. Get another view on life. Gaining some perspective I can see that whatever I am stressed over maybe isn’t as bad as I think it is and if it is I can inquire to someone about how they would handle it. Get some advice. Also just being able to talk to someone about my problem can allow me not hold so much inside. If I let my problem just build up nothing good comes from that.
Talk to God– This is my go to. God has been my rock and my shield in everything. I honestly do not think I would be able to even talk about this to you all if it weren’t for God. For me, it’s just like always knowing that someone is there to listen to me and help guide me. And he speaks to me by providing all of these other resources to cope with my anxiety. All of the things I mention above are because God allowed them to be calming to me and effective for me and He has allowed me to do what I can to find them and use them.
I hope you guys find my ways of coping helpful! I would also love to hear how you all cope! I am always willing to try new things. You can never have too many coping mechanisms 🙂
XOXO,
A Curry Girl
Such great advance…,my 14 year old daughter has battled with anxiety & depression for over a year. We have all learned so much through this challenging time. She is at a really good phase right now, still doing talk therapy, back to playing volleyball & doing some of the other coping skills you have listed. Thank you for sharing your story!
Such great advance…,my 14 year old daughter has battled with anxiety & depression for over a year. We have all learned so much through this challenging time. She is at a really good phase right now, still doing talk therapy, back to playing volleyball & doing some of the other coping skills you have listed. Thank you for sharing your story!
This is amazing! I really needed this. Thank you for sharing 💕.
happyprofessional.co
Thank you for this; I needed this today–it’s been a dark day. My struggle with anxiety became a serious problem a few years ago, and when it got really bad, I went on anti-anxiety medication. While I’m not on it anymore, I think it’s important to mention, especially because of the stigma that is attached to being on medication for mental health issues. It helped me function at a time that even everyday, normal activities were a struggle because of a never-ending sense of impending doom. So seeing a psychiatrist in addition to a therapist is definitely something to consider at especially difficult times in life when we feel all all regular, holistic methods of dealing with anxiety aren’t helping. Of course, I understand that these are privileges that not everyone can afford. So other things that help me now (in addition to what you’ve mentioned, most of which work for me as well), are: yoga (there are so many amazing yoga workout videos on Amazon Prime, so when I don’t feel like going for a walk in the park or to the gym, they’re the best! And there are some specifically designed for overcoming stress and anxiety); herbal teas; my adult coloring book; writing three good things that happened to me every night before bed; listening to classical music; and daily meditation (I use the Insight Timer app; there are some great guided meditations on there, of all different lengths and for all types of situations–sometimes, they’re the only thing that help me fall asleep at night).
I think that’s it! Thanks again 🙂
Hi Sydel! I, too, struggle with anxiety on a daily basis. I have just started seeing a therapist and have been working on ALL of the coping mechanisms that you mentioned. I am also learning how to talk to myself in my head better. It’s all about how you treat yourself. We can not control how some things make us feel, but if we can think about whatever is happening with a better outcome and tell ourselves that we can get through it and it won’t last forever then that can help with panic attacks and anxiety in the long run. I love reading your posts about stress/anxiety because I don’t feel like I’m alone in this mental struggle sometimes. Kudos to you for being brave enough to use your platform to acknowledge it and tell your story.
Aw thank you for saying that. it is very reassuring and it encourages me to keep on writing about how i feel and sharing it with you all!