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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Wisconsin chapter.

Anxiety. Something many people in our society face. In these trivial times, anxiety seems inevitable. I’ve been in denial about my anxiety for a long time, but I realized there are ways to deal with it. Dealing with anxiety means accepting the fact you have it. I do now, I fully accept having anxiety and I am ready to conquer it properly. I hope you are too!

self-love
Original Illustration by Gina Escandon for Her Campus Media
The first step in dealing with anxiety is realizing you have it. It’s hard to accept because labels can sometimes hurt more than help. Mental illnesses can be embarrassing to admit to family and friends. It’s hard when our society likes labels, so we naturally try to avoid gaining one. Anxiety is serious. I understand the feeling of being in denial. The only way that a person can conquer anxiety is to accept it, fully embrace it. You are not alone; there are many people who struggle with anxiety. Grow to love all of yourself. What you’re feeling is temporary, but the people in your life are here for a lifetime. Please lean on them, let them help you and become your support system. When you start to fully accept anxiety, you’re more conscious about the effects that it brings. You’re able to control it better. Try to write what you’re feeling down every time you feel anxious. It helps you gain that consciousness. Realizing anxiety is easier to do when you have a physical thing to read over. It also might bring some peace being able to get everything out on paper. I have noticed a change in my anxiety attacks when I’m able to get everything out on paper. If you are wary about this technique, I recommend that you consider at least trying it once! Writing might surprise you on how much it helps!

Silver macbook by planner and flowers
Pexels / Alana Sousa

The second step is learning how to cope with anxiety. This does not mean you can shove anxiety to the back of your mind; this makes it quite worse in the long run. The major takeaway here is being able to find things to help you cope. Making goals, both big and small, can really help. Not only does this give you some control, it helps you find ways that work the best during anxious times. Small goals are good for you to gain some structure in your daily life, making sure you strive to complete them every day is good. Whether it’s getting outside for ten minutes or working out, these are important to help you manage your life. The big goals could be learning the splits, or something that takes a process to complete. It’s good to have something to look forward to; this is that light at the end of your journey. Not only do goals help you put life into focus, but it also helps you free some of the anxiety you feel. Personally, whenever I am feeling anxious, I feel like I have no control. These goals give me back control and help me focus on other things. Goals are vital, they define your wants. This can lead to self-discovery and play a role in coping with anxiety. The most important thing about dealing with anxiety is conquering it. Anxiety comes and goes. It is good to come up with a game plan to ultimately face it. You will get better. Do not let anxiety define you; take what you’re feeling and channel it into your goals. It’s important to strive for your wellbeing and to not give up when it gets hard. The hardest parts are the most defining moments, in our lives and our character. This is a battle but the future is not uncertain, because the winner is you. This is a process, how long it lasts is dependent on how you feel. Make sure during these times of self-discovery you don’t lose sight of the people who care. Relationships will only get stronger through this, being able to communicate and being honest with the thoughts you have are the glue to building strong connections. If people leave, let them. It’s better to focus on building stronger relationships with the people who will stay, instead of focusing unneeded energy on those who leave. Conquering anxiety is a day-to-day process, please make sure to stay as healthy and happy as you can during this!

Kayla Bacon-Carefree Fall 2
Kayla Bacon / Her Campus
The most important thing about dealing with anxiety is conquering it. Anxiety comes and goes. It is good to come up with a game plan to ultimately face it. You will get better. Do not let anxiety define you; take what you’re feeling and channel it into your goals. It’s important to strive for your wellbeing and to not give up when it gets hard. The hardest parts are the most defining moments, in our lives and our character. This is a battle but the future is not uncertain, because the winner is you. This is a process, how long it lasts is dependent on how you feel. Make sure during these times of self-discovery you don’t lose sight of the people who care. Relationships will only get stronger through this, being able to communicate and being honest with the thoughts you have are the glue to building strong connections. If people leave, let them. It’s better to focus on building stronger relationships with the people who will stay, instead of focusing unneeded energy on those who leave. Conquering anxiety is a day-to-day process, please make sure to stay as healthy and happy as you can during this!

Realizing, coping and conquering is the process that has changed my life. Not only have I grown as a person, but my relationships are constantly growing as well. Remember that you are never alone. We are all going through this process together. Let’s win our battle!

 

I am a senior at the greatest university— the University of Wisconsin. I am in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, double tracking in reporting and strategic communications and earning a certificate in and Digital Studies. I am a lover of dance, hiking, writing for Her Campus, the Badgers and strawberry acais. I am also a president of Her Campus Wisconsin.