One Step At A Time: How I Cope With Anxiety IRL

Living today, it is extremely rare to claim that you have never been faced with the struggles of anxiety. Sometimes the anxiety wave lasts longer than others, but it is something that is dealt with using a plethora of different methods. It would be great to say that I no longer experience crippling anxiety, but I can’t so here are some daily reminders I give myself to cope and live my best life.

1. Unplug

Social media has a tremendous impact on our lives and the internet enables us to function whether it be in work, school, or leisure time. Being “plugged in” to everything that’s happening in the world keeps you informed and up to date with your personal networks, but it can also become incredibly overwhelming. When you are in a place where you don’t feel like your accomplishments are adding up to everyone else’s, you end up scrolling in envy and disappointment. This is a cycle I have become very accustomed to and have even had to uninstall apps because they were making me feel like I wasn’t good enough. Sometimes taking a break puts things into perspective and it reminds you that you can live your truth without staying connected by the hip to social media.

2. Unwind

The generic answer to coping with anxiety is to “just relax” but I think you must dive deeper into what gives you joy. When those suffocating feelings begin to take over, I turn to my bookshelf and choose a title that will take me away from what I’m feeling. For some people it’s going outside, watching a marathon of favorite movies, or even just taking a nap. These are all things I have tried! Anything positive that breaks up the rhythm is worth a try.

3. Unload

Writing is something I depend on for a variety of reasons. I use it heavily in school, I am a huge fan of making to-do lists, and it is a practice that provides a release nothing else quite comes close to. In the moment, writing out why I’m feeling anxious always seems ridiculous. It is not until the moment or period has become distanced that I can see the value in writing it out. I can reflect and remember how I dealt with a situation where my mind felt like it was going to give out then I can apply that to future scenarios. Hopefully you will see a progression of positive emotions, but this takes time. Write out what you’re feeling even if you’re the only one who will ever read it.

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4. Unpack

There are times when the solitary activities increase my anxiety which is not completely unexpected. In these situations, I turn to a trusted confidant and just release what I am feeling. They don’t always offer solutions, most of the time they just want to listen from the beginning to end of why I’m feeling anxious. Whether it’s nervousness for an upcoming event or just the feeling of my world caving in, it helps to relay this to someone you trust. It reminds you that you are not alone in this struggle.

5. Unconditional

It has taken me many years to get to a point where anxiety does not define me and even so, there are some days when it seems I forget this. These methods or reminders are just a snapshot of ways to cope with anxiety. Whichever ways you cope, know that they are valid, and you are loved unconditionally. Whether your anxiety lasts for a finite period or a lifetime, we can get through the journey of life together. This is how I cope with anxiety.

Taking that first step is hard but you can cope with anxiety and live a beautiful life.

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