Hello,
For our reflection for today ( I know it isn’t Monday, but I have been thinking about this lately) we are going to be exploring anxiety.
I am sure everyone gets anxiety from time to time. Some of us have very severe symptoms while others it is just an annoying feeling due to a new, unfamiliar experience.
I definitely have anxiety, almost to a point where I don’t do the things I want to do, just because I am afraid of what the new experience would bring. Now I haven’t actually missed an event due to anxiety, thankfully, but I know that there are many other people out there that have such severe anxiety that it threatens their everyday lives and what they want to do. So if you have mild or moderate anxiety, then this post is for you. I will show you my tips on how I beat anxiety and hope that they will help you in stressful and new situations.
Ready? Lets begin.
1 . Have a vision and imagine the outcome.
Sometimes the best way to deal with anxiety to a new experience, is to have a vision of the outcome. What would happen if you went or did this particular thing? This usually helps me push myself to do something I normally would avoid. I imagine both scenarios, with me going, or with me staying home. If I know I have a chance to talk to friends and have a fun time, then that helps with the pre-anxiety. However, if I know where I will be going is the opposite of the things I like to do, and I would be with a lot of new people, then I will opt out. Remember do only the things that you feel comfortable. You know yourself best of all, and know what is physically and mentally out of your reach. Do things one step at a time. I might never be able to go to an event with complete strangers, because of anxiety, and I am fine with it. I much rather focus my energy on what I know I like and will have fun. Life is about having fun and enjoyment, and should not be determined by what you physically can’t and can do.
2. Breathing exercises
Sometimes I get anxiety for no reason, and feel like it is hard to breath and my heart starts beating rapidly. In this I have to remind myself that there is nothing to be afraid of and to take several deep breaths. Most of the time, this gets the anxiety away completely.
3. Go with a friend for moral support
This can really help if you have social anxiety. At least you won’t be alone and know you can always rely on your friend to for conversation. Try to do this with a friend you is an extrovert, and you will likely have many interesting conversations with complete strangers, than you would have if you went by yourself.
4. Be Honest
Be honest with you limits. It will take time and a lot of effort to overcome anxiety. Don’t feel too hard on yourself if you can’t do what you want. Take small baby steps everyday. Keeping a journal helps. Fill it with the things that you want to do, then make it a point to celebrate when you have completed one item of your list. Also, let your friends know about it so that they understand when you can’t make it to every social event. Maybe even letting them know will help them plan so that you can participate, even if it is only a few hours.
I hope these tips were helpful, if you have any to add to the list, let me know in the comments below.
Have a great week,
Alyssa