I never thought I would have to deal with anxiety. I’ve never felt feelings of anxiousness, even in stressful situations and felt like I had pretty good control over my life and emotions, until I didn’t. It came on quickly and progressed even faster… and it was really scary to not have control over my feelings.
COVID has left a lot of people struggling with mental health and I am one of them. The fear and unknown of the future, trying times, etc. it can all hit people very differently and very hard.
It didn’t take me long after onsets of anxiety hit for me to seek medical attention and I also began researching different ways to cope with anxiety at home when I feel an attack coming on. Here are some of the things that helped me.
Excercise
I feel the best when I am working out. I’ve been running regularly, which really helps keep my mood elevated but when I feel an onset of anxiety coming on I focus my attention on yoga. Calming yoga and breathing exercise can do wonders.
Meditate
Practice your breathing when you are feeling anxious. There’s plenty of YouTube videos available to help control your breathing when experiencing anxiety. You can also breathe into a brown paper bag to help find some relief.
Cut caffeine
I used to drink two to three cups of coffee a day with no negative effect on my body or my mood but once my anxiety started, I had to cut caffeine completely.
Drink herbal teas
There’s a ton of really good herbal teas out there that can help you relax and de-stress. We keep a variety at home so I can pick and choose depending on my mood.
Talk to someone
Don’t let time go by without speaking to someone. The hardest part for me was that I realized I had no control over my anxiety. I could not understand why I couldn’t just control my emotions and make it go away. Generalized anxiety can be triggered by everyday life situations and seeking medical help and speaking to someone can make things a lot easier.
If you’re struggling with anxiety, know you are not alone. Seek help, find resources and practice these techniques at home to help you feel calm and collective.
