5 Things I Do When My Anxiety Gets Bad

1. Step Back from Social Media

It's no surprise that social media is a platform where people post about their successes and leave out shortcomings. Being constantly bombarded with this information can add pressure, and fill your brain with even more intrusive and unhelpful thoughts.

2. Be honest with yourself about it

I personally like to call my anxiety out. By acknowledging it and saying something like "I am feeling anxious" or "This situation creates feelings of anxiety for me"it can actually help untangle the mess emotions that anxiety can feel like sometimes. If I can identify the emotions I'm feeling or what's causing anxiety, then I'm better able to assess how to help not feel so anxious. So be honest with yourself (and others) about it!

3. Make a plan of attack

When something is making me feel anxious, it's very helpful for me to either "pre-plan" decisions based on how situations may change or steps I need to take to finish a task that is making me anxious. I love this strategy because it takes all the thoughts out of my head and puts them on paper.

4. Create a "anxiety says/I say" chart

My counselor gave me this little tip, and I think it's so helpful. Basically you divide your paper into two sides, like a t-chart. Then one side will be "anxiety says" and the other will be "I say." So an example would be anxiety says "all of my success is a fluke and won't continue" while I say, "I work hard and am successful because of it, and everything will work out"

5. Do what you need to do

Everyone is different, so ultimately you should do what's best for you. Whether that self-medicating with ice cream, true crime, or a long, hot shower, then that's what you should do! Remember it's never shameful to seek out help either. There are so many mental health resources, and someone is always there to help.

Anxiety/Mental Health Resources:

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 1-800-950-NAMI (1-800-950-6264)

Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA): 1-240-485-1001

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): 1-866-615-6464

As always, thanks for reading, and I hope you found this helpful!