Hi.
Welcome back or welcome to talks with tia.
Today’s topic is; dealing with anxiety.
Anxiety is a feeling of fear, unease or discomfort. It can range from mild to extremely intense.
I have struggled with anxiety, for around 7 years now.
And those 7 years have been extremely difficult, a feeling which only those who also struggle with anxiety can understand.
Each person’s individual anxieties are very complex and personal to them. As we all have different experiences, struggles and challenges in life.
But one thing, I have learnt is that talking and sharing our experiences with it helps others. As one thing that anxiety makes you feel, is very isolated.
A lot of the time, it can feel like your brain is working against you. As if, you’re the problem.
It’s your brain, so you can have control over it? But there are things we don’t have control over and that’s okay.
We are enough as we are. Not as what we dream to be. Or believe what other people think we should be.
But it’s not as simple as telling yourself you’re enough and believing in yourself.
Anxiety doesn’t just affect you mentally. It affects you physically, which can also range in intensity.
I personally have struggled with a range of different physical responses from anxiety.
One of those, is panic attacks. Panic attacks can take any shape or form, be about anything and again are personal to you.
A lot of the time when I have panic attacks, my brain goes into sensory overload. My thoughts start to race and spiral, if I don’t take control over them. My heart races, throat starts to close up and I completely lose sense of reality. I’ve learnt that this is called dissociation.
When I am having a panic attack, there are a few techniques I’ve found helpful. I will list these below.
•Breathing exercises (breathing in for 7, out for 7)
•Looking at my surroundings, is there any thing I can focus my mind on? For example, can I see any signs or words which I can count the letters of?
•Focusing on my breath and feeling the anxiety , rather than avoiding it
•Listening to music, podcasts or things that make me happy
•Going outside and focusing on my senses e.g. what can I smell, hear or see?
I’ve done a lot of reflection on what some of my triggers are for my anxiety. And those I continue to work on. However, sometimes it can come out of nowhere.
But that all leads back to the mental strength you have to build up for yourself. Because according to psychologists, the mind and the body are interlinked.
Another example of this is, stomach issues. I struggle a lot with the feeling of butterflies in your stomach and this sensation of being tense around my stomach and lower back.
I believe that I struggle with this because of my anxiety. As I have noticed that it is only there when I am stressed or anxious.
A way I manage my stress, is through doing things which I enjoy. A few things I enjoy are; Pilates, going for walks, being in nature and word searches.
Its great for your health and general wellbeing to find stuff that matters to you and gives you something to destress or motivate you.
Another thing that’s key for good wellbeing is you have to find the right support.
As humans, community is really important. The need for love and compassion and respect. But, in life, people don’t always have the best intentions and it’s important to recognise who is really there for the right reasons.
It’s essential in healing and discovering more about your anxiety to have people who understand you. But, it is okay if you feel like there is someone who isn’t.
There are helplines and people out there who are willing to help no matter what. I will dedicate a whole page to helplines and organisations for all kinds of help.
As you’re reading this, I hope you know that whatever you’re going through. You are not alone, and you deserve to be happy and proud of yourself.
I hope that you found this blog helpful and I hope that anything I’ve said makes one person feel less alone.
If there are any questions, or things you’d like me discuss further, please leave a comment or send me a DM.
Talks with Tia xoxo
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