Trying to successfully manage your anxiety every day is no small feat. It takes a lot of energy day in and day out, and after a while it can begin to take a toll on you mentally and physically. To help you better manage your anxiety there are a few things that you should stop doing.
Comparing
Each of us is unique in our own way. We all have our own quirks, which is what sets us apart from the next person and makes us special. Your body, your mind, your skills, the way you laugh, your style, is all unique to you. The same thing goes for your journey. Your journey is your own. Everyone obtains certain goals and accomplishes certain things at their own rate. Try to stop thinking that you have to have accomplished this or that just because so and so did. Remember that life is not a race, nor a competition. Constantly comparing yourself and your path to others will only invite more anxiety into your life, as well as feelings of inadequacy, and it could lead to depression.
Limit the time you spend on Instagram or Facebook, unfollow / unfriend people whose posts leave you feeling unworthy, unhappy, and uninspired.
Overthinking
I know, I know. Easier said than done, right?
Overthinking for some people has become second nature. You don’t even have to try to overthink, you just do. Rather than constantly giving into the incessant flow of negative thoughts and allowing them to consume you, try to recognize your thoughts for what they are- thoughts. You don’t have to avoid thinking, that’s nearly impossible. You can mull things over for a bit, but if mulling over turn into dwelling, then that’s when you need to put a stop to it.
If you can, try to find an activity to take your mind off things for a while. Try your hand at journaling to get the mess of what’s happening in your head on to paper. It might just help put your mind at ease.
Avoiding
Avoidance is a typical response to anxiety when it hits. While avoiding your fears seems like the ideal way to go, it will only make your fear far worse and much scarier.
Try facing your fears head on. Little by little, the fear you feel will begin to dissipate. Commit to tackling one small thing at a time.
Neglecting Yourself
Putting yourself first is one of the most important, yet most neglected aspect of supporting your mental health. Actually taking time to rest, do nothing, recharge, and relax is not selfish. It’s much needed and often taken for granted. How can you expect to be at your best if you are run down, over-worked, over-stressed, and exhausted? Simply, you can’t. Your body needs time to rest and heal. Your mind needs time process and slow down. Not taking the time necessary to recuperate, you run the risk of experiencing burn-out, and that’s exactly what we want to avoid.
Try to make time for yourself. Do something you enjoy or something that makes you feel good. Give yourself permission to rest.
Suffering In Silence
Dealing with a mental illness can make you feel alone. It can make you feel isolated. You feel as if you have no one who could possibly understand what you are going through, or you feel as if people will think your mental illness is a silly figment of your imagination, and therefore you feel as if you have to suffer through it alone.
The good news is that you don’t. There are so many others out there who are dealing with the same feelings, thoughts, and emotions as you. There are endless platforms out there where support is waiting to be given, and there are mental health professionals who are qualified and trained to help you along the way.
Over time, each of these things will become easier to not do. Try your best to more aware of when / if you begin to do any of these things and stop it in it’s tracks.
I believe in you!
With love and support, Molly
