Anxiety Resurfacing

@a1locker

i'm sorry this is happening to you. it happened to me as well throughout the past couple months. my anxiety has been through the roof and i think it's because there is no sense of release, as we are stuck in our homes as you mentioned. for me, trying to release those emotions the most i can has been helpful.

some of the things that have helped me cope have been:

- being physically active

- eating relatively healthy

- prioritizing sleep

- relaxation techniques (such as meditation or mindfulness)

- writing out my feelings

- distracting myself

i find that with being active and writing out my feelings, i am able to get a sense of release so the feelings don't build upon each other as much. even just going for a walk can be very helpful. eating healthier has helped me as well. i believe that if you give your body good food instead of bad and drink a lot of water, your mind will be healthier both physically and mentally. sleeping is very important to me as well. i find that getting enough sleep and getting on a normal schedule helps my mind function better in general. i have tried meditation in the past too. if you even just for 5 minutes when you wake up in the morning listen to a guided meditation, it can help clear your mind and get you ready for the day. some of my favourite distractions are listening to music and watching a show or movie. often times when your mind is elsewhere, the feelings tend to not rise up as much or as bad. that is just temporary, but can help in the moment.

here are some tips for a panic attack specifically:

- remember that it’ll pass

- find a peaceful spot

- focus on an object

- 54321 method (look at 5 separate objects, listen for 4 distinct sounds, touch 3 objects, identify 2 smells, name 1 thing you can taste)

- walk or do light exercise

- do muscle relaxation techniques (tense up and relax various muscles one by one, hold the tension for 5 seconds, say “relax” as you release the muscle, let the muscle relax for 10 seconds before moving on to the next)

remember that you don't have to try all of these at once, and setting small goals or trying new things slowly can be great! it's a really long journey, and relapse is normal - especially in our challenging circumstances. i know it's scary, but you'll make it through this.

I’m having very similar issues! It’s been so long since I’ve had a panic attack and now I’m having them every few days. Know you’re not alone ❤️