Battling the Anxiety Blues

It would appear that this year, I’m focusing on a lot more anxiety orientated posts that I ever have before. It’s something I have and it’s something I suffer with and have suffered with for a few years. It’s also something a lot of other people have and something than doesn’t need to be a taboo subject and should be discussed openly and freely and with respect. Last year, I opened up about my own anxiety story here and just a few weeks ago, I wrote another post on how I, personally, cope with day-to-day anxiety and what tools and methods I use. Today, I wanted to write another post on “Beating the Anxiety Blues”. Those days where you feel too anxious to do anything which often leads to feeling quite down – at least, I know it does with me. So here are some things to think about when dealing with the anxiety blues (as always with my anxiety posts, please read the small print).

1. Remember, you are not alone. You are not the only person feeling like this.
2. If anyone dares moan at you for it, it’s because they don’t fully understand. There’s absolutely no way to know what goes on inside another person’s head.
3. Talk to someone about how you’re feeling that day – help and relief could come from an unlikely place.
4. Do what you gotta do and don’t be ashamed about it. If laying in bed all day will help, then do it. Don’t let anyone force you to do something that will damage your mental health.
5. Heck, if anything, it might be nice to lay in bed and watch movies and eat chocolate all day!
6. Focus on you. Just for one day, stop trying to please everybody else.
7. Challenge yourself – but don’t push yourself too far if you’re not comfortable.
8. Remembering that every step is an achievement can take a whole world of pressure off your shoulders.
9. And remember how far you’ve come. You’ve got this.
10. Surround yourself with positivity.
11. And don’t beat yourself up about it! It’s so easy to think yourself a failure when you have an off day – I know I have. But you’re not.
12. Do something that relaxes you. If that means getting up at 5a.m to watch the sunrise, then do it.
13. Remember, it’s OKAY if the only thing you did today was breathe.

As always with my anxiety related posts, this isn't solid advice but suggestions from my own experience. Please, if you feel like you're suffering from mental health problems, see your GP.