Lifestyle: My Tips for Dealing with Anxiety

It's taken me a while to actually post something like this on my blog. I know it's something I shouldn't be shy about talking about but it's a very personal thing. Close friends and family of mine may know that for the past couple of years I've suffered with anxiety. It's not something I like to talk about but it got so bad at one point I was too scared to leave the house at all. I feel like it's something so many of you must suffer with too and I want to let you all know it's okay to have help but it's time to be okay about dealing with it!
First when a doctor told me I had anxiety I had no idea what it was. I was given brochures and sheets about it and spent ages reading about it. The more I read about it the more I realised It affected me. It explained why I felt on edge all the time and why I worried about absolutely everything. I've been seeing a therapist for a while now and I thought it's time I shared my tips about how I cope with it with you all. If this post helps one person then my job is done!
1. Use techniques to calm yourself I use techniques my therapist has taught me which help me so much but I know everyone will deal with this differently. I find deep breathing, listening to calming music really helps. I use an app on my phone called 'relax melodies' and when I feel really anxious I put in my earphones and listen to the sounds of the sea. Imagining a place which makes you happy also really helps. I like thinking about happy holidays, moments which have been special to me to help calm myself.
2. Have some chill out time and comfort yourself One thing I can't live without is peppermint tea. My favourite is PG Tips Peppermint Infusions and I go through about 2 boxes of these each week. I find that whenever I feel stressed, anxious and in a state of panic peppermint tea really helps. I also relax by watching friends, having one of my favourite biscuits while I'm having my peppermint tea. I find that doing things you really enjoy helps you relax and comforting yourself will help you get in a relaxed mindset. 
3. Ask yourself what's the worst that can happen? There's been a few situations lately when something goes wrong I panic and begin to think that everything else goes wrong and it's all linked together. My boyfriends really good about this as he always says to me 'what's the worst that can happen?' I didn't really believe him at first but now I think he's right. Little things seem so much bigger at the time as you panic about them. They're actually really small things a lot of the time that you'll forget about the next day/next week or month.
4. Get some fresh air A little while ago while I was travelling in New Zealand my Auntie also told me that fresh air is really good for when you feel like you are panicking and don't know what to do. Ever since then I've always valued just going outside even if it's for 5 minutes. It really does help, sometimes if you just stick your head out the window for a couple of minutes. Fresh air really does help clear your head.
5. Do some exercise! My mum always says to me to get some exercise. I've recently started doing Volleyball at university and I feel like that's really helped boost my mood. I'd recommend joining your local gym, go running with a friend, doing a class such as zumba. If you're still in education there's lots clubs and societies you can join.

I hope you've liked this post and if you also suffer from anxiety that some of these tips may help you! Twitter//Instagram//Facebook