I never knew what anxiety was growing up, but I was showing symptoms for a long time that I just kept sweeping under the rug. I only recently opened up about my struggles with anxiety within the past year, allowing myself to be medicated (still not an easy feat, but I manage). Within the past year of allowing myself to understand my diagnosis, I’ve learned a few things to cope and better help myself and when I have panic attacks, because with trauma comes anxiety and panic disorder (thanks loser ex…you suck). So, here’s what I’ve learned, and hopefully you can learn something from it!
1. Medication Adherence
Oh dear, oh my, where do I begin? Personally, I feel like I’m calling a kettle black saying this, but take your meds!
Don’t be like me and take them for a while, feel great, to the point where you feel like “I don’t need them”, and then regret decisions later. Medication adherence is so important, or you’ll end up like me and crash out like I did this past February, and end up putting yourself in therapy. I lived and learned with that crash out, but I digress.
2. Find a Calming Activity
One thing I found that helps with my anxiety is to find a calming activity. Personally, some of my favorites are adventure-style video games (I’m currently enjoying “Star Wars: Outlaws”), paint-by-numbers, adult coloring, or baking. You can also channel this anxiety into workouts. I just started doing this, and it’s starting to grow on me.
3. Know Your Triggers
Thankfully, I know most of mine, but knowing them and understanding when you may need to step away from a situation to calm your anxiety is best. I just had to do this during a psych class because of a tough topic, and that’s okay! I knew what was best for me.
4. Use an App to Track your Progress
This is something new I’ve started to do, and it genuinely helps so much. I use Finch, but feel free to find another app that works for what you need it to do. With Finch, however, I am able to send my little bird friend on adventures to different places. My Finch is currently in Rome, Italy, which is where I will be for my study abroad over the summer. Not only that, but my favorite part about Finch is that it helped me identify some of my triggers through its reflections, and it asks me occasionally. My personal favorite when I’m having a bad day is Rant Zone. It also asks me about motivation and emotions every time I open the app that it tracks, so I can see my good days and bad days throughout the month. What makes the app perfect is that it’s totally free on the App Store!