If I told myself five years ago to sit down and write a blog about my struggle with anxiety, I would have felt anxious just at the thought. The stigma that surrounded mental illness even up until five years ago has created barriers for anyone suffering to seek the help that they needed. Thankfully, somewhere in between the struggle, the racing thoughts and the stress, a movement was born. Society decided to make a change and raise awareness to help support those who are struggling.
The #BellLetsTalk campaign is the perfect movement that society needed to see. It’s amazing how one day out of the year can make a positive impact that will last a lifetime. One of the biggest issues I find is that some people do not understand what it means to suffer with anxiety. And that is a fair statement. Since the main objective of today’s campaign is to raise awareness of mental health, I want this post to help people not only understand what it means to suffer with anxiety, but the process you need to go through to be in control of it.
The Painted Picture
I want you to take a moment and picture yourself walking across a long, wooden, creaky bridge between the edge of two cliffs, hundreds of feet above ground. Every step that you take, your heart is racing and your mind is filled with an overwhelming sense of fear. “I’m never going to make it.” “What if I fall?” “I’m about to fall.” Step by step, you are able to successfully make it from Point A to Point B, but you worried that something bad would happen the entire time. If you understand what those feelings are like, that is what it feels like to struggle with anxiety.
Every scenario you encounter, no matter how big or how small, it is as if you are always walking across that wooden bridge. Point A represents the beginning of a situation, the bridge represents your anxiety, and Point B represents the outcome (which is usually never as bad as you thought).
These are some pieces of advice to help you cope with your daily worries.
1. Don’t spend time alone.
Everyone might need some time for their self, but for anyone suffering with anxiety, too much is never good. You will become swallowed by your thoughts to the point where you feel like you have nowhere to run. Even though you might feel anxious to be around people, you need to force yourself to be with people who genuinely care for your well-being. And trust me, spending some time away from your thoughts is the best way to cope.
2. Don’t let go of your passion.
For most of us, anxiety begins to form when we are not in control of a situation. Whether it’s a new social setting, an anticipated conversation, or even plans for your future, when we lose that control that’s when the panic starts to set in. Whatever you are passionate about, that is the one thing you can maintain control over. It will be your outlet and your support.
You are stronger than your thoughts and they do not represent who you are.
3. Speak about it.
Firstly, when the anxiety begins to build up and a panic attack is setting in, your thoughts will always make you feel weaker than your reality. You have to move around, you have to speak about it, and you have to regain control. An anxiety attack is only temporary and it will come to an end.
People don’t understand what it means to suffer with anxiety. And that is a fair statement.
Secondly, let someone know about what you are going through. Don’t suffer alone. It may be difficult to have this conversion with someone out of fear of resentment or judgement, but building a support system will help you maintain your comfort. Remember as it was once said: “asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.”
Parting Words
One thing I need to leave you with and one last thing I need you to understand is that you are stronger than your thoughts and they do not represent who you are. You are strong enough to fight these battles each day and survive. It is up to you to make the change that you want to see. And you can do it. Trust me, you got this. #BellLetsTalk
