So, you discovered you have anxiety, what is the next step? The usual way of treating anxiety is going to see a therapist. Sometimes however, seeing a therapist takes time, especially when you are struggling with financial or travel obstacles. The good news are that there are five important steps to get you through it anxiety temporarily, until you seek a therapist.
- Take a walk…. by yourself. This might seem pointless but if you try it out, just once, you will know it is not. The reason why taking a walk is helpful is because it exposes you to life, literally. When you are anxious, you just feel like hiding in your room, under the covers or just staring at nothing. This helps intensify your problem because you focus all your attention on it, disregarding everything else. When you are outside, naturally, you will pay attention to what is happening around you, and that will slowly redirect your focus. For instance, there is a good chance you will see a homeless man/woman in bad shape, a car accident or meet a stranger who makes your day. All these situations will give you some hope to hold on to, and will encourage you to appreciate where you are in life. Most importantly, a walk by yourself is always a good idea because it gives you time to relax, get some fresh air and get to know yourself and your problems a little more. After all, we all need some alone time to know ourselves well enough before we get to know each other.
Movies. It is no secret that people watch movies to get away from their lives. For a couple of minutes or hours, they can sit down, relax and watch someone else’s problems or drama. Anxiety definitely qualifies as a serious problem and it is okay for you to watch movies regularly. When you are anxious, all you can think about is negative thoughts. Therefore, watching a movie can be fun and also a great distraction. In fact, it might inspire you to try a new clothing style, to pursue a certain passion of yours or a new career.- Chocolate. I cannot stress this enough! Chocolate will be your best friend for one simple reason; it elevates the mood greatly, and let’s not forget it tastes yummy! The ingredient responsible for elevating mood is cocoa, and is abundant particularly in dark chocolate. Make sure not to eat it every day because no one wants a sugar overdose, but once or twice a week doesn’t hurt. So, what are you waiting for? Grab a chocolate bar at your nearest supermarket and appreciate the rich cocoa.
- Exercise. This is a pretty common one so I will make this section short. Motivation is a huge part of the gym that cannot be ignored. Most articles mention the gym as a solution but forget to tell you how to get there. The best advice I can give you is find your own motivation. It can be a YouTube video, an old picture of you when you were overweight or even a catchy song. It is scientifically proven that exercise releases endorphines which elevates the mood, so what more proof do we need? When you exercise, not only do you stay in great shape, but you are also able to release stress in a healthy way. Don’t forget when you are exercising to think about all the things that stress you out and push yourself to fight harder in the gym.
- Be Thankful. It is hard to appreciate what you have good in life when you have a million problems going on, however, it is still possible. In fact, it is crucial to understand that nothing lasts forever and appreciating the good things in life like a family member, a good friend/loved one, or health is key because we don’t know when we might lose them. Make some time to write down a list of all the things you are grateful for and place them on your wall. That way, you can see them every time you walk into your room, and you will instantly bring positivity to the air.
By: Lana Mehier, Anxiety In Teens Contributor