Those that know me well know that despite being a generally happy and positive person, I have suffered and continue to suffer with anxiety - but this is something that I haven’t always felt comfortable admitting to people.
In the beginning, I found it extremely difficult to accept my anxiety and I actually felt ashamed to admit that I suffered with anxiety. I can’t describe exactly why I felt this way, but I suppose I felt as though by admitting or explaining my anxiety to people, they would assume that i am a deeply unhappy person with a lot of issues - and I really didn’t want this to be people’s perception of me.
When I think about this, I feel a little bit disappointed in myself, to be honest. I do believe that with any mental health issue, one of the biggest and most important steps is being able to accept & ‘own’ the matter - but in reality, this isn’t always as easy as it sounds...
Like many others, I’m finding the current situation incredibly stressful, and as a result, felt compelled to write down my thoughts and share some top tips on coping with anxiety, together with a bit of background about my own personal experience of anxiety and the various coping strategies I have explored.
On my mission to combating anxiety and finding my happy place, I have explored various different therapies and techniques - some of which have proven more effective than others. But one of the biggest helps for me - and this is something else I have always struggled to talk about - has been taking antidepressants.
I actually don't consider myself to be someone who has ever suffered with depression (although I will admit that there have been moments in my life where I have indeed felt depressed) - for me, the problem has always been anxiety, and I guess I've always feared that if people know I've taken antidepressants/am taking antidepressants, they'll judge me and automatically assume I'm this chronically unhappy person that's on the brink of self-destruction... which really isn't the case! So, if you've been offered anti-depressants by your doctor or you're taking anti-depressants and feel a bit embarassed by it, then I totally get it, I've been there! But please, never be ashamed of seeking help & finding something that works for you.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking anti-depressants, and the fact that you have sought support in the first place is huge testament to your strength of character. Being brave and talking about what's bothering you is incredible, and you should be proud of yourself. To add to this point, I'd like to clarify that if you are feeling depressed, there is equally nothing wrong with this either. Mental health is still an incredibly difficult topic to discuss, particularly if it affects you personally, but please never ever feel ashamed of the way that you feel.
Fortunately for myself and all the other anxious souls out there, I do feel that a lot is now being done in the media and online to help prevent these assumptions from being made. And now, more and more people are unashamedly talking about their mental health issues and their coping mechanisms when it comes to those issues - and this is something that personally, I find incredibly comforting. I feel like we are finally getting to a point on social media where we kind of know what's real and what isn't, and I love the fact that celebrities and influencers are opening up about their mental health. For the younger generations in particular, I think this is such a positive step forward in the right direction, as it really does help hammer home the message that nobody is ever alone in their thoughts, and that it's OK to not be OK.
Top Tips For Dealing With Anxiety
1. Take a walk and take time to appreciate what’s around you - for me, this is the most effective type of mindfulness there is. I love taking walks in beautiful green spaces and really absorbing everything that I see and feel. From how stunning the bright blue sky is to how cute Max looks when he’s paddling in the river, I feel so soothed by the great outdoors.
2. Write down how you feel and what your worries are - my mum always tells me to do this, and I really do find that it helps. The idea of this technique is to rationalise your thoughts and to actually remove them from your head by putting them onto a piece of paper instead. More often than not, this technique will prove how irrational your fears and worries are, and will help you in realising this.
3. Exercise - I’m not going to sit here and claim to be some avid gym goer or fitness enthusiast, but I will pledge the importance of getting plenty exercise and giving your body a good workout. Even if it’s just a walk around on your lunch break at work, getting out and burning a bit of energy is a great way to focus your mind elsewhere and escape any negative or fleeting thoughts.
4. Spend time with your furry family member - I was going to write ‘furry friend’ but let’s face it, our furry companions aren’t just pets or friends, they’re family! And you know what? Spending time with your dog, your car or whatever other animal you may own can honestly make such a difference to improving your mood and outlook. Nothing in this world makes me happier than just being with my family and cuddling up to Elvis on the sofa. I find his company so comforting and I genuinely do believe that our pets provide us with the very best form of therapy. It definitely works for me.
5. Don’t be afraid to talk - everybody says this, and like I’ve said, it isn’t easy - it really isn’t - BUT, it works. Taking a big, deep breath in and then letting it all out, even if you end up sobbing and unleashing everything that’s been bringing you down, really does make a huge difference. Letting it all out is SO much better than holding it in, so don’t be afraid about being judged, just be in that moment and set your emotions free.
There are now lots of mental health charities that offer one-on-one services for those dealing with anxiety, depression, eating disorders & more. Here are a few websites and contacts you may find useful:
1. Mind
2. Rethink Mental Illness
3. Mood Swings
4. Sane
5. 42nd Street
I really really hope that you enjoyed this blog post and I hope that at least one of you has felt helped or comforted by what I’ve said. I’m always happy to help anybody who needs a bit of support/a shoulder to cry on or just a friendly chat, so please feel free to comment or drop me a message!
Lots of love,
Grace x
I enjoyed reading this article. Good job!
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