Tips to keep Anxiety at bay

My Anixety

I am a current college student who’s not mentally stable by any means. I operate on few hours of sleep, I eat only if convenient and I try to keep my obsessive worrying at bay. I’m currently on 50mg of Zoloft and something similar to Valium for panic attacks and still I am very anxious in day to day life.

And so, here are some tips that have benefitted me for as long as I remember.

List of things to do instead of worrying

1. Colouring in/drawing.

I’ve found that my stress deteriorates very thoroughly when I express my feelings through art. Anyone who doesn’t feel like they’re able to draw (wrong, but that’s okay) you can always colour and find pleasure in that! Those anti stress books for colouring are 100% useful.

1. Listen to a new album of music

I’ve found that finding a new singer and just lapsing through all of their music (whether pop, country or classic rock) really gives me a feel for the music and a taste of the author.

1. Read!

If you’re into some fanfiction, romance novels or just about any fiction novel can calm me down. It clears your head and gives you something else to focus on. It can make you easily detach from life in a soothing way. (Also, TV shows work too!)

1. Make calming foods

I’ve found that tea and toast are my comfort foods that don’t cost too much. Don’t get me wrong though, Mcdonald’s can cheer up anyone just as well. It’s really about eating something that makes you feel good (and making sure you eat. Letting your anxiety control your life is not good.)

1. Take a breather

You may think it’s big, it’s a huge problem that needs to be solved right now. It’s most probably not. Life fixes itself a lot of the times, your anxiety is lying to you and you are not dying, You are okay, failing a class isn’t great but it’s not the end of the world. You will be okay.

Everyone’s anxiety is different

If you find yourself constantly down, that you’re too stuck inside of your head it’s always helpful to see a psychologist. If you don’t want to do that there are sites that let you vent about your problems in a safe environment.

See: Blahtherapy, and 7 cups of tea.

If you want to rant to me, that’s always safe and okay (you can do that in the comments or message me here on LB, I know how dealing with an anxiety disorder can get. It confuses you, gets you delusional and can even make you spiral into depression.

You are not alone.