About three years ago now, I developed severe anxiety due to a traumatic experience in hospital. To this day, I still suffer with anxiety, but through retraining my thoughts, I don’t suffer anywhere near as badly as I did. My anxiety attacks these days are completely manageable and panic attacks are super rare as I am able to identify the symptoms and can quash them before they start to take hold. Here are my top tips on how I have dealt with my anxiety:
Breathe
This may sound like an obvious one, but when we are anxious, our breathing becomes shallow and can bring on a panic attack. When I start to feel a little nervous or negative thoughts enter my head, I take a deep breath hold for 2 seconds and exhale slowly. I do this twice.
When you take the breath in, you should feel it from the bottom of your stomach right up to the top of your chest until you can’t inhale any more, the same for when you exhale, push out all the air from your lungs.
Get some fresh air
When I was suffering badly with anxiety, I got to the point where I became agoraphobic. The more I stayed in, the more I didn’t want to leave the house. It wasn’t until I realised that I was affecting my little boy by doing this that I got dressed, put my boots on and we drove up to Reigate Hill. Me and my little boy walked around Gatton Park and had one of the loveliest, most memorable times to date. After that, I promised myself I would get out and get some fresh air at least once a day, even if it was only a quick 20 minutes. It really helped my anxiety and I felt so much better in myself.
Have some ‘you’ time
Again, this may seem obvious… But how often do you take an hour out of your busy day to just be? When I was told to try this, the first thing I thought was, “I do have me time”, but then I failed to think of ONE time in a week I take for myself.
I started making the hour (or two), after school drop off, my ‘me’ time. I would make myself a cuppa and some breakfast, pop Netflix on and watch something I liked. Sometimes, I would run a bath and relax in peace, which at any other time is impossible! Invest in some lovely bath bombs and candles and make that me time special! You’ll feel a whole lot better afterwards!
Write it down/ talk to someone
Getting it all out works a treat for me. It’s why I have this blog and since having an outlet to voice my thoughts and opinions, I’ve felt much better in myself. For some people, they may find it easier to pick up the phone and off load to a friend of family member. I do this also. My husband and dad are my verbal outlets, but they give the best advice and manage to keep me calm and grounded. They help me rationalise my thoughts and feelings… Which brings me on nicely to my final tip.
Challenge your thoughts
Those of you with anxiety or depression will know that the number of irrational thoughts that one has in a day can be alarming! It’s hard to shift some of these thoughts, but it can be done. The best way to do this is to think about the thought logically. For me, I suffered with health anxiety for a long time and the slightest twinge would really wind me up until I was almost passing out from a panic attack. By asking yourself logical questions and coming to a realistic conclusion, you will feel less anxious and more in control. In some situations it helps if someone close knows this process to help you though more difficult times. This is something that can take time, but once you have mastered it, those unhealthy, negative and anxious thoughts will not feel anywhere near as bad as they were originally. For a detailed explanation on how to do this, I found this article from Outreach.com very insightful.
As a follow up to this, later in the week I will be posting about 5 ways to relax, but I need to research this one in more depth as I’m still very full on most days. The joys of being a Mum! 😉
Great advice, and very calming too! You’re right, it kind of seems obvious at times, and yet you sometimes need reminding of these techniques anyway. Glad to find you at #Anything Goes
I’ve often found that a nice long walk in the woods is fantastic for letting go of the negative and re-focusing. Great tips
Fantastic advice 🙂 I always find a few deep breaths help and writing things down definitely works for me too
Thanks for linking up to #AnythingGoes
Debbie
Back again 🙂
Thanks for linking up to #BloggerClubUK 🙂
Debbie
This is really good advice, without jumping on the band wagon, I have an anxiety disorder and each and everyone of these steps I find effective. Brilliant post 🙂
#BrillBlogPosts
Hi Leila, I can be quite an anxious person in certain situations; my heart races, I get sweaty palms and can feel dizzy and that’s just in the car park, before I enter the supermarket (or where ever I am headed where there are too many people).
Deep breathing helps big time, as does trying to be rational. I also find focusing internally and on the here and now helps shift my focus and reduces my anxiety. Getting out, with the dogs and the camera is the best remedy I’ve found for anxiety.
Fab post.
xx
I’m a health anxiety bunny too, had it since I was 15 as I was a young carer and was so frightened that something would happen to me there would be no one to help me mum and brother. As an adult I am anxious every day but manage it as its as much as me now as my freckles! Breathing is great and as is not avoiding, it feels like an easy option but in the long run it doesn’t help. Lovely post #brilliantblogposts
Thanks ks for this post. I always find fresh air is a big help and for me working out has always helped lower my stress levels #mg
walking really helped me start to see what I needed to do, I came back from a walk one day and pulled out a note pad and started writing a poem. It was like an awakening for me, I realised how much I had missed writing, I have often said that writing for me is like breathing fresh air, I need it to survive. Writing helped bring me back to life. I relate so much to what you have said here, thank you so much for linking up with me too, I am so happy I have finally found your amazing blog
really good tips! I’ve never suffered fortunately but this is all really good to know! And well done to you for managing yours in such a positive way and raising awareness #mg
Great tips! Being outdoors really helps me feel more relaxed and connected. Lately I’ve been finding myself feeling antsy if I don’t get outside enough. I’ve also been focusing on taking more “me” time. It makes such a big difference, especially as a stay-at-home mom to 2 little ones. #mg
Wow these are great, practical tips. I find I get anxious about work and the overwhelming amount of “things I need to do”. I will give these a try – starting with BREATHE!
P.S I found you via #AnythingGoes blog linky!
Cheers,
Louise@WillungaWino.com
I love the walk idea! Especially when it’s a bit nippy because you get wrapped up and the cold is actually refreshing when you feel bogged down. Writing it down and challenging your feelings are also great – I often have to reason with myself!
Great post!
Thanks for linking up to #AnythingGoes