Anxiety manifests in a few different ways. Sometimes, your mind shuts down and it becomes hard to think, focus, or move on. Other times, it can be a complete physical collapse where you spend the rest of the day in bed. What's nice is that you're not alone, and other people have been where you are and they know the best way to help.
Reddit user, u/enavarro7, wanted to know:
People with anxiety; what are your coping methods?
Rule of 5
One technique that I was taught, which I actually find to be quite good, is to ground yourself. Pick 5 things you can see, five things you can hear, five things you can touch, etc...
The "five" can be any number, and is probably better a bit lower (because of lack of answers) but the concept is still the same. It's supposed to get your mind working in the right way when it's being flooded in the wrong way, and basically help you control the thought process.
Do Anything Besides Think About It
GiphyClean my room til you are bored. Sounds dumb but if you put a bit of music on, it distracts you and gets something productive done too.
If this is you looking for advice, best of luck with your Anxiety man.
Keep Moving
Exercise. Can't stress enough how much that helps me with a lot of things.
Everyone thinks I love going to the gym, but actually I hate it. I just NEED to go.
Keeps me sane and fit.
Know What You're Doing
Self awareness.
When I realize my anxiety is bad, acknowledge it and come to terms with. If possible think of why it's bad and realize its temporary or just not worth getting anxious about.
Think About Your Breathing
Breathing in my nose and out of my nose. When we start breathing through our mouths and "panting" it signals our body we are in trouble. If you stay through your nose it helps you remain incredibly calm.
I just used this technique recently and it changed my life. Highly suggest. ❤️
Schedule Times To Relax
I don't know if this is the healthiest, but I have "No worry times."
These are just 2 hours of my day I put away where I don't worry about anything, and then I'll do the worrying later. It took me a while to get use to, but it helps. Also taking shower helps for me, but I don't know if that's just me.
Never Give Up
Use to get major panic attacks and anxiety, distractions helped me.
-sometimes heading outside with some music and headphones while going for a walk to get some fresh air helps.
-massages help. It sounds weird, but I've had friends that have given me neck rubs or massaged my scalp while I was freaking out thinking I was dying. For some reason it has helped during major panic attacks. It also helps when you have friends that experience the same thing.
-showers tend to be good for me. Something about the water wether it's hot or cold kind of pulls me out of the anxiety or panic attacks I'm in.
These things helped me most when I've had panic attacks or anxiety. It took years to conquer and I still get mild anxiety, but the most important thing that helped me, was this..
I've had panic attacks and anxiety episodes so bad I've called the ambulance or gone to the hospital. During those episodes, I 100% thought I was gonna die.
Yet, here I am 5/6 years later writing this out to you all. I survived each episode and I will survive the future ones.
If I can, so can you. Don't give up friends.
Change Your Outside. Change Your Inside.
Giphy...doing something to change your appearance.
nothing says "i'm trying to cover up a mental breakdown" quite like doing something drastic to your hair.
Think About It From Different Angles
I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder. Because if this I tend to constantly be thinking and over thinking things to the point of being anxious. I find that I cope the best when I look at situations from an "outside" perspective.
So, rather than thinking "how am I going to handle this" I think "how should they handle this". Disconnecting myself takes the pressure off. It can confuse people sometimes though because it gets to the point that I refer to myself as "we" despite considering myself to be one person with singular pronouns.
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