Dealing With Anxiety

I have battled with anxiety for longer than I would like to admit, and the last few months have really taken a toll. Living with anxiety is like swimming in the ocean during a storm: it’s a struggle to keep your head above water, and any minute, you could get swallowed up by a wave. Even when I feel calm, I’m always on edge worried about when the next surge of anxiety will hit or if a panic attack is around the corner. I believe as women, we tend to put on a happy face and just push through our day regardless of how we feel, and we don’t want to seem vulnerable. But as women, we need to be vulnerable with each other because we might help someone who is feeling the exact same way but isn’t as strong.

That is what this post will be: me being vulnerable.

Looking back on my life, I can’t really remember when my anxiety started. It could have been high school, but I vividly remember it in my early 20’s. My anxiety manifests itself in a lot of ways, but mostly I feel out of control of my body and I have a hard time breathing. A really hard time breathing.

It has taken me years to get it under control; self-care is imperative, and I don’t think women, especially wives and mothers, take care of themselves near as much as they should because let’s face it: being a wife and mother is a full-time job in itself. But you must take care of yourself in order for you to be able to take care of others.

1. Talk about it: I think this is pretty obvious but talking about what’s making you anxious is key. I have a handful of people that I trust who I’ve opened up to about it. I think even just saying what’s making you anxious out loud can help SO much! Also, journaling has been a fantastic outlet.
2. Medication: Yes, I know some people don’t want to go down this path but it’s what worked for me. My Dr. and I agree that I don’t currently need meds as I am coping well with it on my own but if it comes down to me “drowning” or going back on meds, then I will go back on the meds.
3. Meditation: This has been a game changer for me. I meditate and do yoga first thing in the morning and it has really helped my anxiety throughout the day. I feel like when I start my day with the right mindset I don’t get as many anxious moments throughout the day.
4. Exercise: Any kind of exercise from walking, to yoga, barre classes, or just weight lifting really calms me. If I am having a rough morning, walking around my neighborhood (with my dogs!) always makes it better.
5. Acknowledge it: Admit it, it’s totally fine. More people than you probably think suffer from it and it’s a normal thing. Talk to people about it, open up, see a doctor, tell a family member or friend…someone you trust. Get the support you need. That’s what I did and it’s the first step in how I deal with anxiety. I acknowledge that it’s there and try not to let it have more power than it deserves.

If you suffer I really encourage you to talk to someone. Don’t ever feel ashamed or embarrassed or less than. Anxiety is very common and it’s absolutely normal.