A friend of mine recently asked how I cope with anxiety so I thought it might be good if I put it down in writing so it might be of use to other people too.
Everyone is, of course, different and I don't claim to know it all but every little helps, right? Please feel free to leave any tips you've learnt down in the comments too! :)
I think the most important thing to mention is that it's real. There's sadly still a lot of stigma around mental health illnesses, that people make it up or exaggerate their symptoms. They don't. It's 100 % a real thing and like any illness, there are ways to help and ways to relieve the symptoms.
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| I found this picture one day whilst scrolling through instagram and it's a great image that puts it all into perspective - a picture can say a thousand words.
First, a little history. I was diagnosed with anxiety back when I was 14, but I've struggled with it for as long as I can remember. I was also diagnosed with depression when I was 20 & PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) when I was 22.
It's only been the past year or so that I feel I've been able to control and start "winning" with the negative voices in my head, the palpitations, feeling sick, being out of breath, etc. I still have bad days, sometimes even a bad week or month, but I am so much better than before so I guess it's proof it can get better! :)
Tip one - accept that there's a problem and talk to someone about it. It doesn't matter who- it can be your family, a friend, a work colleague, a doctor. Find someone you know you can trust and talk. You'll probably find just talking about it makes you feel better and then you can discuss the next steps in moving forward and what's right for you. I realise this is easier said than done but you can do it!
Another helpful tip may be, if you feel comfortable enough, to talk to your manager. Just make them aware that you're struggling a bit so that if you seem off, have a bad day or go sick at all they know why. My work place has been really supportive and it's made the world of difference.
Tip two - find a way that helps you to destress. I find doing my nails, reading a good book & going for a run/walk helps to keep the panic at bay. I also know people find writing down the negative thoughts and then destroying the paper by burning/ripping up/flushing it down the toilet really helpful.
Tip three - try and keep active. Exercise boosts your confidence, makes you feel better both physically and mentally and keeps your body healthy. Having said that, if you're really struggling to get the endorphins going that day, chocolate can also help.. ;)
Tip four - Medication. Medication isn't for everyone but you should definitely have a chat with your GP or do some research to see if you'll benefit from it. I've been on medication for around 5 years now. It can be a struggle to get the right ones for you to start with, but once you figure out what's good for yourself, it really does help. The other thing I'd point out is, if you are on pills, be consistent with them. If you stop taking them once you start to feel better, or forget to take them every now and then you'll notice a big difference. You need to take most tablets consistently for them to work properly and keep things smooth in the long run.
Tip five - try and keep an eye on your diet. As boring as it can be, eating healthily can make a big difference. Little things like drinking a herbal tea or some juice/a smoothie instead of something caffeinated can make a big difference. Caffeine, as most people know, gets your heart pumping, which really doesn't help if you already suffer from palpitations! I find peppermint tea to be helpful when I'm having a bad day as it also helps to settle your stomach if you're feeling a bit sickly.
Tip six - laugh. Watch a funny film, put on your favourite comedy TV show, chat to your favourite people. Play with your pets, watch a bit of Thatcher Joe on the old youtube. Laughing makes everything better.
I hope this helps some of you, and I'll post again soon! I'm thinking of posting another nail tutorial next so let me know if that interests you or if you have any suggestions. :)
Keep your chin up and try to remember that everything'll be okay in the end!
Love,
Becky x
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