How to Live With Anxiety

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of intense fear or apprehension, often accompanied by physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, and difficulty breathing. It's been linked to depression, substance abuse, and even suicide.

Living with anxiety can be difficult, and it is common to feel as if you are losing control of everything. I've been there before. Anxiety can be treated through therapy, medication, learning about your triggers, and developing coping strategies.

But there's good news! Anxiety is treatable, and you can learn how to live with it.

Here are some tips:

1. Steer clear of situations that trigger your anxiety. If you can't avoid something, try to prepare yourself beforehand. Maybe take a deep breath before entering the situation or ask someone else to accompany you if possible.

2. Try to identify what causes your anxiety so you can avoid them in the future. This might mean taking up yoga or meditation classes; reading about the condition, or interacting with people who understand what you're going through better than anyone else might be able to do so at this stage in life (like family members or close friends).

3. Don't dwell on the past! Instead focus on the future by setting goals for yourself that will help make life easier for yourself in general (e.g., "I want to be able to go hiking without being afraid of falling down").

4. Create a phrase that you can tell yourself when you are feeling anxious. For example, when I'm feeling anxious and irritated with myself, I use these steps and ask myself these questions:

1. Take a deep breath, Lisa.

2. What happened today that could have been stressful?

3. What do you require right now? Water? A hug?

4. What emotions are you currently experiencing? Anger? Sadness?

5. Yes, anxiety is creating scary scenarios in your head right now, but if they do occur, you will be prepared. Don't be afraid! You are not alone! You can do it!

6. Continue to remind yourself these feelings will pass and everything will be okay.