Random tips for anxiety

I was thinking about what to write about this week and realized one thing I have a lot of experience with is anxiety. My mother says that I have had anxiety since birth because she saw it in my eyes as a baby, thanks, Mom!  

I go through periods where I’m doing and feeling fine most days and then seemingly out of nowhere, I go through a spell of anxiety. I am in no way a therapist and am only presenting some personal tactics to quell moments of anxiety. Try some out and see if they work for you! *Disclaimer, these tips have in no way cured my anxiety. 

When you’re in a big group of people: Lace your fingers together and then rub your opposite palm with your thumbs. This brings you back into your body, which I learned from my previous therapist!  

Before a presentation: Blast your favorite song and have a wild dance party. This automatically gets me out of my head and into my body. 

Everyday anxiety: Take a long walk. I walk every day. This is non-negotiable for me. There is something so soothing and simple about walking. It’s free and accessible to most people. I live in the PNW and walk in the rain most days!  

Nighttime: If you wake up with sudden anxiety. First off, I tell myself that nothing that I’m thinking of can be solved at night – I only solve problems during the day. If I can’t get my mind off it, in the past, I would scroll Instagram for a distraction. Since deleting Instagram, I now look through the pictures on my phone. It brings me back to good memories, people I love, and distracts my mind from ruminating on things that can only be solved in the daylight.