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Anxiety and how to deal with it...


Have you ever experienced that feeling where you think your stomach is tying itself into a complicated sailor's knot and you're certain there's some sort of impending doom coming? Me too. It's normal to feel anxious at times, but it's important to learn how to control it and use it to YOUR advantage, rather than letting it control you. Anxiety can come as headaches, nervousness, sweating, short-tempered, excessive worrying, second-guessing, fear, tummy aches, thinking 'what if...' and needing reassurance. Generally, as a rule of thumb, there are two reasons you can be anxious:


  1. You're nervous because you are doing something that is outside of your comfort zone.

Lots of people feel as if this type of anxiety is a bad feeling and that you have to avoid it at all costs. But this attitude actually makes it worse because when you inevitability do feel this way, you then get anxious about being anxious! Believe it or not, as long as it's managed well, this anxiety can be used for good. Instead of freaking out and letting your emotions overcome you, take a step back and realise that this is your body's way of telling you that you're exiting your comfort zone into unknown territory. This same feeling is the one our ancestors felt that kept them from getting eaten, so it's simply a part of our automatic reaction to new situations. However, that doesn't mean we can't choose to react differently. Instead, use this feeling to motivate you as it's a sign that if you continue, you will grow as a person.


2. You're worrying about something that happened in the past or might happen in the future.

While the other type of anxiety can be used for good, this type of anxiety is super unproductive. If there's something you're worried about and you've done everything possible to help the situation, then there's no point worrying. I know it's super difficult because with the first type once you've done the task, you'll actually feel elated. But with this, you don't get that satisfaction.


How to deal with it


Stop the negative talk

Okay, how many times have you let the negative thoughts running through your head freak you out or stop you from doing something? This is the problem with anxiety, if you let it take over, it will. The solution? It's not easy, but take a quiet moment and refuse to accept the negative thoughts. It might not work the first time, but the more you try and change your thinking, eventually, you will find you are thinking more positively.


Feel it

Sometimes the only way through is to feel it. The worst thing to do would be to bottle everything up inside, it's so much better to allow yourself to feel these emotions. Never be ashamed about feeling stressed and overwhelmed, let your emotions out and talk to someone about them.


Talk it out

Having people to talk to can really help manage anxious feelings. Being able to talk out your issues and worries is such a great way to take control of your anxiety. There might be times when there is no one to talk to, or you might not feel comfortable opening up about how you're feeling. If that's the case, talk to yourself. It might sound a little weird but make sure to tell yourself to take control, to believe in yourself.


Take a breath

BREATH. Simple but effective. Get that heart rate down and take a look around. Wherever you are, take in your surroundings and name the objects you see, this distracts you from your anxiety and helps you to get a grip of reality.


Find your focus

Whether it's a hobby or just something to take your mind off the daily grind, being able to find an outlet is so important.


Embrace it

Anxiety sucks - that's a given!

But what if I told you that there's a little positivity to anxiety? Sure, it's the worst feeling to be so self-aware, but you can use this feeling to become a more thoughtful person. Thinking about your own anxieties can make you more aware of how you impact people around you.




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