Full Disclosure: Clicking on these links could mean a tiny commission for me, at no extra cost to you.
Oh, Anxiety. Where do we start? I guess we should start with who we are. Blame the Brain is an online website designed to boost your mental health through pictures and blog posts. And today, we are sharing our top anxiety tips right here, right now on Anxiety Gone.
What is Anxiety for Me?
What is anxiety? Well anxiety can be many different things and it can come in many forms. Anxiety could just be an odd feeling or anxiety could be a manifest of negative feelings, emotions, and thoughts that affect your whole life. It differs from person to person. So, answering what anxiety actually is is a pretty tough question.
However, I can explain to you what anxiety is like in my life.
For me, anxiety is a process. It never stops me from doing things I love but it’s vital I keep working at it on a regular basis! I assume if I stopped constantly questioning my anxiety, I would become reluctant to do things. I assume that if I wasn’t mindful of my anxiety, I would find it hard to leave the house and it would only get worse. Though, I refuse to let this happen, but I sometime do find myself wondering what it would be like if I didn’t even try.
Why do I get anxiety?
Well that a question and a half! It could come down to my DNA, or something to do with childhood trauma. Realistically though, it’s probably down to my environment but that doesn’t stop me from wondering, “If I could change my DNA, would everything be better,” – a question many of us can relate to.
It’s not as easy as that. Essentially, most people say changing your perspective on your anxiety and your life as a whole are the best anxiety tips. So, I have learned to stop questioning the why’s and to start focusing on the anxiety tips that will help change my view.
What my Panic Attacks Look Like
A lot of people ask us about panic attacks and honestly if your not sure if you have had one, you probably haven’t. Panic attacks happen in serious states of anxiety! Here’s a few things that I think before and during a panic attack…….
- Am I having a Heart attack?
- What should I do?
- Will I or am I dying?
- F*ck
- I forgot how to breathe
- Will I feel like this forever?
These are all common thoughts when having a panic attack. I always feel more reassured when someone reminds me that you can’t die from panic attacks and it’s just a feeling. And really, it’s totally true!
My Anxiety Tips for Overcoming Attacks
Over the course of having anxiety and panic attacks, I have come up with a collection of the best anxiety tips that helps me through those tough moments. Today, I am sharing them with you.
Anxiety Tip #1: Breathing
Way back in the Stone age people were constantly chased by predators! As a result humanity evolved, society came up with term adrenaline!
Adrenaline is a hormone that causes alertness and can (in the modern world) trigger anxiety. It’s often associated and sometimes even triggered by heavy, fast breathing – in through the nose out through the mouth. This is how you breathe when you’re running (away from predators). So, if you’re having a panic attack, it’s important to notice how your breathing. If you’re hyperventilating or breathing really fast, you’re triggering your brain to release adrenaline due to a “threat” being present.
Fortunately, this also means that by slowing down your breathing (in breath through the nose for 5 seconds, out for 7 seconds), you will default the adrenaline and put a stop to the anxiety.
Anxiety Tip #2: Headspace for Mindfulness
I have used the app, Headspace, for a while now and I’m finding it really good! For those of you who don’t know what it is, Headspace is an app that is designed to support beginners (or masters) of mindfulness. The app has gorgeous graphics and the lay out is so nice!
The app is actually based around finding time in your everyday life; learning how to stand back from all the crap that’s going down in your life and to just relax. By listening to a calming voice that guides you through your meditation, you will soon become a meditation master!
Is it free? Well yes and no. This is the only downside to Headspace. You can upgrade your app so you can get unlimited sessions whenever you want; it’s still completely possible to use that app without it. (I haven’t upgraded and I don’t think I will, I’m perfectly happy with my current account). Even with the free account, you still get some free perks: 1 mindfulness session a day and a basic 10 section introduction to mindfulness.
I find mindfulness to be one of the best tips for anxiety, as it helps to manage your mental health significantly. It calms you down and give you the opportunity to take a step back from your problems! It really is as simple as that.
Anxiety Tip #3: Take a Bath
The best way to beat an anxious feeling is to have a nice hot bubble bath, maybe with a nice bath bomb and some scented candles. Baths help to ground you and make your body feel relaxed. So, any time I have anxiety for no reasonable explanation I just jump in a bath for 30 mins. I recommend listening to some music, maybe a radio comedy program or podcast while bathing away your stress.
Anxiety Tip #4: Find a Creative Outlet
Finding a creative outlet simply means finding a way to release your anxiety by doing something artistic, whether it’s drawing, singing, dancing, meditating, writing, etc. For me, drawing always helps me feel a lot calmer. However, I know it’s partly from being in my own space.
Anxiety Tip #5: Learn to Meditate
Meditation is such a good way to chill out and to step back from everyday life. I find walking away from a busy day and just taking a moment, even if it’s just 2 minutes to meditate. If you’re new to meditation, there are many mindfulness programs that will help you get started.
Anxiety Tip #6: Use More Lavender
The scent of lavender is absolutely perfect for relaxing and relieving yourself from everyday stress and anxiety. Anxiety Gone’s online anxiety store has a great collection of lavender products, from lavender in a garden to lavender sachets, lavender essential oils and more.
Anxiety Tip #7: Get Better at Organization
For me, being organized has been one of the best anxiety tips, as I am able to know what’s going on and what’s going to happen, etc.
I recommend making lists, visually plotting out your week, using a calendar, organizing your bills etc. to start alleviating those anxious thoughts. However, it’s important to remember that if making lists doesn’t work for you, stop! They can make me feel like I have more stuff to do.
Anxiety Tip #8: Be Sensible
It sounds harsh, but I always find it hard to distinguish the difference between my uptightness and anxiety. I tend to blame by uptightness on my anxiety, so I have started asking myself these questions whenever feel like my anxiety is stopping me from doing something.
- Have I ever felt like this before?
- Is this my brain pulling B.S. on me?
- Am I just being silly?
I hope this made you feel less difficult about anxiety and more confident. You can follow me on Instragram or Twitter at @bmb_mental.health. Thank you, Anxiety Gone for letting me share my anxiety story and anxiety tips with your audience.
