It’s wellness week here at Her Campus CU Boulder and with finals and seemingly everything else in the world going on, it may seem like anxiety levels are rising not only in yourself but for your friends. While this may make things seem tense, there are always ways to get through it. Here are ways that you can support a friend who might be going through a difficult time with anxiety.
- Be patient.
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Everyone is going through it, and it’s always good to lean on friends for support, but make sure that they can handle it emotionally before venting to them.
- Don’t push topics that might be emotional.
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If you ask a friend about something that’s bothering them and they don’t want to talk about it, give them space on that topic and let them know that you’re there if they want to talk about it.
- Terms not to use
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“calm down”, “it’s not a big deal”, “you shouldn’t be anxious about that.”
It’s not helpful for someone with anxiety to hear these terms because they realize it just as much as you do, but they still feel that way regardless.
- Encourage them to not keep their feelings bottled up.
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Whether it’s journaling, therapy or talking about it with a friend or family member, remind your friend that it is incredibly normal to have these feelings and getting help isn’t something that should be seen as embarrassing.
- Share resources.
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As much as you would like to help them personally, there is only so much you can do. Different apps, websites, and services are open and easy to access that could help. Some resources include Headspace, Calm, The Trevor Project, and on-campus mental health resources.
We know this time of year is difficult for many, but you will always find a way through it. You’ve got this and share this article with whoever you feel needs to hear this!
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Emma and Ivie