Yes, I have moderate to severe anxiety. There are days when getting out of bed just seems like a chore because of how much I have to do during the day. Some days even getting myself food is a daunting task. But I cope... These are my 10 greatest lessons I've learned in my daily battle with Mr. Anxi Ety. I've a number of personal experiences relating to each one, however, I do not wish to publicize most of those stories.
#1 - You are not Superman. Stop acting like you are.
Anxiety is in short overstress. The more you try to do, the more stressed you become. There are only 24 hours a day, and its recommended you get approximately eight hours of sleep. So what you can't get done in sixteen hours without trying to do fifty things at once, will HAVE to wait. Calm down.
Anxiety is in short overstress. The more you try to do, the more stressed you become. There are only 24 hours a day, and its recommended you get approximately eight hours of sleep. So what you can't get done in sixteen hours without trying to do fifty things at once, will HAVE to wait. Calm down.
#2 - Do not be afraid to ask for help.
Sure, there are people in this world that will tell you, 'Its all in your head.' But frankly, living with anxiety is next to impossible alone. You need someone to tell you its going to be all right if dinner is late. You need someone to give you a hug when life gets hard. Sometimes you just have to say, ' Come here and take this dirty diaper for me while I put a new one on the baby.' Life's hard, and its not meant to be traveled alone.
Sure, there are people in this world that will tell you, 'Its all in your head.' But frankly, living with anxiety is next to impossible alone. You need someone to tell you its going to be all right if dinner is late. You need someone to give you a hug when life gets hard. Sometimes you just have to say, ' Come here and take this dirty diaper for me while I put a new one on the baby.' Life's hard, and its not meant to be traveled alone.
#3 - It is not bad to cry.
There is a common misconception that crying is a sign of weakness. Don't listen to those that would say this. A good cry once in a while is a VERY good thing. I'm no scientist, so I won't pretend to know the science behind it, but when you cry, there is a definite release. Obviously a release of emotions, but its a physical and mental release as well. Without a release, then you'll undoubtedly lose it.
#4 - Take time for yourself.
I personally have a tendency to be a people pleaser and I often forget about myself. But when you have anxiety, living a lifestyle like that adds stress. People often say, 'Helping others makes you feel good.' Sure it does. But you also need a break from life. Watch some tv. Play a video game. Go for a jog. You need some time to get away from the world and think.
#5 - Breathe.
This one seems like a 'duh' statement. However when anxiety is your battle, your mind can race, your heart can race, and sometimes, the world spins so fast you don't even have time to think, let alone breathe. However, if you remind yourself to stop and take a deep breath when the world is closing in around you. The moment you take a breath, everything begins to clear, and the body will follow suit and calm down, and then you can think again.
#6 - Eat.
Oftentimes, we get so stressed out, we forget to eat. And its a vicious cycle. It will continue. You don't think about it at first, but very quickly, without the food, your body shuts down, which inevitably kicks the anxiety back up. Not to mention, food gives you the energy you need to get through the daily stresses.
#7 - Do not be afraid to tell people about your anxiety.
Our society teaches us not to tell people we have a problem. So we hide it and pretend everything is normal. (Which boots anxiety up the more you hide) Sometimes, we think if we tell our employer we have anxiety, we'll lose our job, or we won't get the job. However, the truth is, it shows character if you say, 'Hey, I got anxiety. This is what I need to handle it. I need a regular schedule that I can rely on. I can't be expected to do different things every day. I need routine. And please don't layer fifty things on me at once. I only have two hands to work with.' Obviously you wouldn't say all those things in those exact words, but when you say things like that, it shows strength, and your employer would rather have a person with the strength and character to say, 'Hey I need help' than have an employee who is perfectly healthy in every way and tackles way too much and inevitably gets it all wrong somehow.
#8 - If medicated, TAKE YOUR MEDS!
Simply put, there is a reason you are on meds. Its not a disgrace to have to take medicine for anxiety. Its the same as if you had to take medicine for a heart condition. You can't handle daily life without it. And its important to be able to function
#9 - Never be alone during an attack, even if it is just a phone call.
Speaking from personal experience, anxiety is VERY different from depression. However, during a panic attack, if you don't have someone to help you through it, it can very quickly become like depression. The world doesn't make sense during an attack. All you want to do is scream, but in many cases you can't even make a sound, can't move. It's frustrating! And as you get more and more frustrated, it turns to depression, and you could end up in the ER. (I did once. The only time I ever was alone when I had an attack)
#10 - Don't be embarrassed by your anxiety.
The more embarrassed you are by your anxiety, the more likely you are to lose grasp on the things you can do to help yourself. Embarrassment often leads to denial, denial leads to abstaining from doing things to help yourself. Long story short, don't be embarrassed.
There is a common misconception that crying is a sign of weakness. Don't listen to those that would say this. A good cry once in a while is a VERY good thing. I'm no scientist, so I won't pretend to know the science behind it, but when you cry, there is a definite release. Obviously a release of emotions, but its a physical and mental release as well. Without a release, then you'll undoubtedly lose it.
#4 - Take time for yourself.
I personally have a tendency to be a people pleaser and I often forget about myself. But when you have anxiety, living a lifestyle like that adds stress. People often say, 'Helping others makes you feel good.' Sure it does. But you also need a break from life. Watch some tv. Play a video game. Go for a jog. You need some time to get away from the world and think.
#5 - Breathe.
This one seems like a 'duh' statement. However when anxiety is your battle, your mind can race, your heart can race, and sometimes, the world spins so fast you don't even have time to think, let alone breathe. However, if you remind yourself to stop and take a deep breath when the world is closing in around you. The moment you take a breath, everything begins to clear, and the body will follow suit and calm down, and then you can think again.
#6 - Eat.
Oftentimes, we get so stressed out, we forget to eat. And its a vicious cycle. It will continue. You don't think about it at first, but very quickly, without the food, your body shuts down, which inevitably kicks the anxiety back up. Not to mention, food gives you the energy you need to get through the daily stresses.
#7 - Do not be afraid to tell people about your anxiety.
Our society teaches us not to tell people we have a problem. So we hide it and pretend everything is normal. (Which boots anxiety up the more you hide) Sometimes, we think if we tell our employer we have anxiety, we'll lose our job, or we won't get the job. However, the truth is, it shows character if you say, 'Hey, I got anxiety. This is what I need to handle it. I need a regular schedule that I can rely on. I can't be expected to do different things every day. I need routine. And please don't layer fifty things on me at once. I only have two hands to work with.' Obviously you wouldn't say all those things in those exact words, but when you say things like that, it shows strength, and your employer would rather have a person with the strength and character to say, 'Hey I need help' than have an employee who is perfectly healthy in every way and tackles way too much and inevitably gets it all wrong somehow.
#8 - If medicated, TAKE YOUR MEDS!
Simply put, there is a reason you are on meds. Its not a disgrace to have to take medicine for anxiety. Its the same as if you had to take medicine for a heart condition. You can't handle daily life without it. And its important to be able to function
#9 - Never be alone during an attack, even if it is just a phone call.
Speaking from personal experience, anxiety is VERY different from depression. However, during a panic attack, if you don't have someone to help you through it, it can very quickly become like depression. The world doesn't make sense during an attack. All you want to do is scream, but in many cases you can't even make a sound, can't move. It's frustrating! And as you get more and more frustrated, it turns to depression, and you could end up in the ER. (I did once. The only time I ever was alone when I had an attack)
#10 - Don't be embarrassed by your anxiety.
The more embarrassed you are by your anxiety, the more likely you are to lose grasp on the things you can do to help yourself. Embarrassment often leads to denial, denial leads to abstaining from doing things to help yourself. Long story short, don't be embarrassed.
No comments:
Post a Comment