anxiety coping skills

4/22/22

this week we are going to be talking about anxiety coping skills.

being someone that deals with anxiety on a daily basis (even though I am medicated) is something that is always occupying my mind.

for those that don't know what anxiety feels like, anxiety is what we feel when we are worried, tense or afraid – particularly about things that are about to happen, or which we think could happen in the future. Anxiety is a natural human response when we feel that we are under threat. It can be experienced through our thoughts, feelings and physical sensations.

an easy way to explain it to someone that doesn't understand is to look at the cognitive model. It starts with a distressing situation/trigger → which causes a person to have negative thoughts → this causes negative emotions and physical distress → which leads to negative behaviors.

I found another blog post that really pin points an easy depiction of anxiety:

Anxiety can be described as an internal smoke detector. But instead of warning you of only smoke, it warns you of any perceived threats. This “alarm” warns us of any approaching danger so we can protect ourselves.

However, if a smoke detector isn’t calibrated correctly, steam from a shower might falsely trigger the alarm. Similarly, your anxiety may be perceiving danger where none exists. Once the smoke detector gets triggered, it keeps going until you turn it off. In terms of anxiety, it keeps on going until the threat is relieved, disrupted, or eventually goes away on its own.

some people can go throughout life and never experience anxiety (those lucky ducks). but some of us that are less fortunate deal with anxiety on a daily basis.

anxiety is a chemical imbalance of the brain. we don't choose to have this illness. it doesn't pick favorites or sides. and it never goes easy.

anxiety feels like:

• being trapped in a loop

• wanting to run away from everything

• difficult thinking straight and making decisions

• no control

• feel like people are staring and judging

• being pushed underwater

• a battle between me, myself, and I

• being paralyzed

• worst-case scenarios

• the world is against you

all of the ideas listed above were summarized from: https://www.mindmypeelings.com/blog/how-to-explain-anxiety

the best way to deal with anxiety is to have a way to cope. coping is no easy task and learning what the best way for you is even tricker. here are some ideas I found that might make your struggle a little better:

• write down your emotions

having a way to express your feelings and getting them out of just you head is the start of accepting what is going on inside your head. it's easy to get caught up with ourselves, but writing it all down allows us to see it in a different light.

• move around

sitting in and with your thoughts will not help them get any better. moving around, whether it be exercise or cleaning or going for a walk can help you clear your mind and put your focus on something other than your debilitating thoughts. if going out is too much anxiety, try finding an activity to do at home.

• limit time on social media

social media is such a challenge. we want to stay caught up with others and social media can be fun. but social media can also be the root of anxiety. we are always comparing ourselves to others without even realizing it. with our day and age, the news is even anxiety inducing. it's best to keep a clear mind and focus on happier and healthier things than social media. live it the present.

• maintain social support

connecting with others and maintaining friendships is key to feeling a sense of belonging. when you have a group of people that are there for you, the sense of anxiety can be lessened. maybe not severely, but knowing that you have those people that are there for you when times get rough really helps to ease the mind. but also, check on them. it goes both ways of you being there for them and they'll be there for you.

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this post was one that I was really excited to write. I hope you guys liked it and got something out of it.

teach others about the mental illnesses they don't understand and the world will be a better, healthier place.

see you soon,

xx Loryn