How do I even begin to explain what anxiety is like. I’ll give it a shot. It’s like being underwater and knowing that you can go up for air but not being able to. It’s the worst thing.
The worst part about it is that you never know when it’s going to pop up. It’s like one moment you are fine and the next you feel like you can’t breathe, even though you know you can.
My first anxiety attack happened about a year ago. I was riding in a car with my husband and I started feeling like there were bugs on my legs. I started feeling this sensational itch and it started just on my legs and then it started spreading throughout my entire body. It consumed me to the point where I was scratching so hard at my skin that I was about to bleed. I had no idea how to control it. I had no idea what to do with it but it was terrifying and I definitely wish I would’ve known what to do. Luckily I was able to go to the hospital and get medication to treat it.
Now I know medication is not for everyone and you definitely shouldn’t rely on it either. I rarely take my medicine because I have found ways to manage and control my anxiety.
Now these ways may not work for everyone but they will work for some.
Tip #1:
Breathing.
I know sounds simple right? Wrong. When you have an anxiety attack you only focus on the attack itself. That’s it. You can’t think, talk, or do anything. But breathing is essential because what happens with an anxiety attack is your nerves are through the roof, you’re very emotional, and you’re very panicky. You’re under distress so, breathing just isn’t on your mind when it happens but it should be. Taking deep breaths in and out allows your heartbeat to slow down and calm your nerves. Whether you realize it or not the panicking and nerves are what causes the anxiety attack. You can make that go away with deep breaths in and out.
Tip #2:
Distraction
I have found being distracted does exactly that, distracts myself from the attack. So, say for me my legs started itching and that sparked my anxiety attack so, a distraction takes my mind off the itch and allows me to control it and not let it consume me. So, when you feeling anxious try to find something to do. Something that you enjoy or hate, up to you. Just find anything that you can put your all in and focus on that. It really helps.
Tip #3:
Slowly Counting
Count to 10 even 20 if you need to. This allows your mind to focus on one simple task. It really makes a difference. It allows you to get a grip on the anxiety and release it.
I hope these tips helped you. I know they make a huge difference for me! Anxiety is terrible and a lot of us suffer from it, whether we know it or not. I hope you find a way to cope with anxiety and relieve it. I hate that anyone has to suffer from it but if I can help in anyway I will. If you ever need someone to talk to about it, feel free to reach out. I hope it gets better.
That’s All She Wrote 