Coping with anxiety
Hi all! I have terrible anxiety, it’s got to the stage where my friend thinks if I don’t get a hold on it, I’ll get so worked up that I’ll have a stroke or heart attack. I worry about everything. I guess I’ve always been this way, but I really want to stop. I hate worrying my friend, and I do feel like it shouldn’t be her responsibility to pick me up through these worries I have. They can be the littlest thing, but I end up getting worked up. Like yesterday, I had a message from my old employer, speaking about something that happened two years ago. Instead of talking it through, I just thought; “Will that be a warning?” Even though I don’t work for them anymore, I’m in a completely different role.
Anyway I just wanted to know what coping mechanisms do you use when tackling anxiety?
many thanks for reading.
I found grounding techniques and meditation to be helpful for me.
Thank you so much for this message! I will definitely look into both methods, would just be nice to find a way to get it to calm down. Thank you again ^_^
i find that the thing that helps me most is to go for a walk in a park. Someplace that’s quiet where I can reconnect with nature… listen to birds, see a lake or stream, breathe in fresh air.
Once I’m outside and walking around, I spend time talking to myself. I discuss why I’m feeling bad, and I address the facts of the situation and I breathe a lot and repeat several affirmations.
This helps a lot when I’m having anxiety that’s on a scale from 0 to 7. When I’m at an 8 or higher… I’m still working on how to push through that. 🙃
I also have anxiety and I really feel it in my chest. I hate journaling but my therapist thought it would really help if when I feel that panic I stop acknowledge that I'm feeling it and write down the topic. I started using an app called worry tree so every time I start to feel anxious I stop, I say it loud that I'm feeling panic, and then I open the app and I write down the topic and what kind of anxiety I'm feeling (it prompts you to select - for example am I catastrophizing).
I find the anxiety feels less acute after I do this. And sometimes it stopped me from ruminating. Hope that helps a little
@Dylzine Hi Dylzine,
Thank you for sharing what you're going through. It's not easy to open up about anxiety, and I think it’s a brave step in itself. It sounds like your mind has been on overdrive, and I completely get how exhausting that can be.
One thing that’s really helped me with managing anxiety is learning to separate what I can control from what I can’t. When my thoughts spiral, I write down what’s worrying me and then list what’s within my power to address. If there’s nothing I can do about it, I remind myself to let it go though, to be honest, that takes practice!
Another thing is breathing techniques. It might sound simple, but focusing on slow, deep breaths (like the 4-7-8 method) has helped calm my racing heart during overwhelming moments.
I also wrote an e-book, The Silence, which dives into some of these strategies and a lot more about coping with anxiety and fear. It’s a guide that focuses on mindset and practical tools to navigate tough emotions. If you think it could help, it’s currently on a special offer, and you can check it out here: The Silence.
You’re not alone in this, and it’s clear you care deeply about your friend and don’t want to burden them. That’s such a kind trait, but remember, you deserve support too. Keep taking these steps you’re doing more than you might realize. 💛
