Have you ever found yourself giving up on something before it’s even had the chance to take off?
Is there a little voice in your head telling you that you don’t have what it takes to succeed or you’ll never be able to achieve your goals because you’re lacking the skills or knowledge required to make s*!t happen?
Is your anxiety holding you back from reaching your full potential?
As someone who’s struggled with anxiety my entire life, I truly understand how crippling it can feel to face this internal battle with your mind on a daily basis.
Sometimes it can feel as though we’re in the backseat of our own lives waiting for some magical sign from the universe to tell us we’re making the right moves. Or alternatively turning down opportunities that don’t align with our end goal.
Silencing your own mind seems so out of reach and you might even think to yourself, “why can’t I just man up and chase my dreams regardless of how much they terrify me?”
I’m still in the middle of what feels like a lifelong journey with my anxiety.
Some days are easier than others, and some days just feel downright exhausting! But somewhere along the way I’ve stumbled upon a few different methods that have allowed me to silence my mind and reclaim my power.
These coping mechanisms have provided me with relief on those days when I literally want to rip out my brain and throw it off the balcony.
Ok maybe, that’s a BIT extreme…you get the picture.
First and foremost.
Simplify Your Schedule
I don’t know about you guys, but I find a chaotic schedule to be extremely overwhelming!
When I have too much on the go my anxiety kicks into overdrive and I end up getting absolutely nothing accomplished.
As my high school english teacher used to say, “less is more”.
Despite initially feeling as though she was trying to dull my sparkle, I now fully understand the benefit of keeping things simple. Less really is more when it comes to keeping your anxiety at bay and preventing overstimulation.
Take a look at your schedule. Are there days where you’ve got just enough time to get from one place to another?
Maybe you’ve overcommitted to too many coffee dates or have multiple deadlines due on the same day. If at all possible, try spreading things out a bit and giving yourself more time to transition from task to task.
Remember, there’s always tomorrow. You just have to take things one day at a time.
Limit Caffeine Intake
Coming from me, this ones a bit ironic. But hear me out.
I love caffeine as much as the next person and am guilty of slamming back a stiff pre workout before hitting the gym.
Which is the exact reason I’ve cut back on my tea consumption throughout the day in an attempt to minimize a bout of crippling anxiety that leaves me feeling jittery for hours!
The verdict? It’s helping! Imagine that…
Caffeine is a stimulant and something those of us with anxiety disorders should approach with caution.
Too much caffeine can trigger our fight or flight response and increase anxiety if you’re not careful. It only took me five cups of tea on top of my pre workout to figure this one out, at which point my anxiety had anxiety!
If you’re struggling with your anxiety, I would suggest keeping an eye on your caffeine intake and eliminating it whenever possible.
You could even try switching it out for a herbal tea or lemon water if that appeals to you.
Take it from me, strung out lunatic is not a cute look.
Differentiate Thought vs. Reality
I sometimes find myself stuck repeating the same thought over and over again in my head. True or not, I think it enough times that I believe it to be factual rather than acknowledging that it’s simply just a thought.
Learning to differentiate my thoughts from reality has allowed me take a step back and collect myself when feeling consumed with anxiety. I start by asking myself,
Is this statement true?
If it’s not, then I know I’ve fallen off track and replace it with something positive that I know to be correct.
What sort of negative self talk do you notice when you’re feeling overwhelmed and anxious?
How could you change your narrative and consciously shift from a fearful mindset back to reality?
Do Something You Love
Still feeling anxious?
What is one thing that you could do right now that would make you feel SO full you’re practically bursting at the seams?
Do that thing!
Give your mind a break and focus on something that lights up your soul. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy, it just needs to put you at ease and calm your nervous system.
Roll out your mat and do some yoga, throw on your favourite song and have a dance party or write in your journal and let the words flow freely.
Just make it happen.
Prioritize your need to show yourself some love and you might just be pleasantly surprised by how quickly your anxiety starts to melt away.
Reclaiming your power requires awareness and consistency. But it is achievable!
These coping strategies don’t eliminate my anxiety all together, but they do provide me with the tools to manage it when I’m feeling defeated and stuck in a rut.
Simplify your schedule
Limit caffeine intake
Differentiate thought vs. reality
Do something you love
What are some of the methods you’ve found helpful when coping with your anxiety?
Drop a comment down below. I would love to hear what works for you!
Keisha V.
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