My Tips for Dealing with Anxiety in Public

hello everyone!! I hope you are having the most wonderful day.

Today, I want to focus on the tools that have gotten me through anxiety-provoking classes, social settings, and more. I have always had trouble finding the tool that worked best for me.

Here are some things that don't work for me but work for a lot of other people:

1. Box Breathing. I've found that whenever I do anything with breathing, I actually have even more anxiety because I feel like I am not getting enough air in my lungs. That is definitely not what is supposed to happen.

2. The 5,4,3,2,1 Method. This works for me, but once I finish counting and looking for things, my anxiety comes straight back and sometimes worse.

Here are techniques that almost always work for me:

1. I count everything in the room that I am in. I was never officially taught this by a doctor, but my dad taught me that this is what he does. This helps me keep my mind off whatever is bothering me. I recommend trying this out.

2. I remind myself of where I am (location, time, sitting or standing, etc.). This helps me remember that my thoughts aren't always reality. Sometimes, I worry about what people might be thinking or saying about me, but if I remind myself of the facts, then I'll be okay.

3. Take a moment to myself. Being alone to breathe has always helped calm my soul. If I'm in class, I'll use the bathroom and just sit with myself. If I'm hanging out with friends and I get overwhelmed, I'll leave for a couple of minutes to be with myself.

I recommend trying out all these techniques and more. heres a link to find more tools to tame your anxiety:

https://dosomething.org/article/new-state-of-mind-youth-mental-health-guide

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321510

I wish you luck with your anxiety and figuring out the tools to better yourself and your well-being.

xoxo,

ella

Do you struggle with anxiety? Comment below the techniques you use to conquer your fears.

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• sometimes
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