Disclaimer: I am not a mental health professional by any means. I simply wanted to share some resources I have personally used over the years, and the links to the rightful owners are given below.
Hi my lovely readers!
Today, I wanted to talk about something I feel like a lot of us experience not only in our 20’s, but throughout our whole lives: anxiety. I have always been an anxious person. Sometimes, anxiety serves me well and prepares me for tough situations. Other times, I end up just making life harder for myself by worrying over every. little. thing. I know a lot of people my age struggle with this feeling. Life changes so fast in our 20’s, and it’s hard knowing what’s going to happen next. We’re also making so many more decisions on our own that it’s hard to know if we’re making the right ones. In my mind, it’s a completely valid cause for anxiety.
I became a Crisis Text Line Counselor around 2 years ago when I was in college. In my years of being one, I have often chatted with people that struggle with stress and anxiety. As a volunteer, I had access to multiple resources I could share with those looking for coping mechanisms. This ended up being really great because I would look at those same resources when I would have really tough moments with anxiety. Huge disclaimer! These sources aren’t going to magically cure your anxiety. They are simply day-to-day ways that could make those hard days just a little easier.
Below, I wanted to make a list of some of the coping mechanisms from being a hotline counselor that I really resonated with. Without further ado, let’s get to the post!
Ways to Deal with Anxiety
- Breathing Exercise
- This one is really great for if you feel a panic attack coming on. Taking deep breaths is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to almost reset your nervous system and feel more calm. Plus, this one has a visual if you’re more of a visual type of person!
- Grounding Technique
- The grounding technique is also a good way to cope with anxiety. It helps you focus on what is around you. It can definitely help get your mind off of whatever is causing you stress in the moment.
- A Worksheet to Challenge Anxious Thoughts
- This is a great option if you need a physical activity to do! Sometimes, writing out your anxious thoughts can help you realize that it may not be as big as you thought. This worksheet could be really helpful in realizing that those thoughts might actually be irrational thoughts. Trust me, I’ve had my handful of these.
- Meditation Activity
- Yoga and meditaions are honestly such a great ways to relieve stress. However, if you are looking for a quick coping mechanism, this one could be super helpful! It’s a nice visual where you write whatever is worrying you, and you can watch it “disappear”.
- General Coping Skills Worksheet
- The last coping skill I wanted to share is this general coping mechanisms worksheet. It offers a wide variety of different coping mechanisms you could easily reference in times where your anxiety becomes difficult to cope with. This one is nice because you can find the coping skill more catered to your specific need.
Take it one day at a time! I know one post isn’t going to change everything. Hopefully, you were still able to find something on here that helps cope with your anxiety, even if it’s for a day. If you need someone to talk to, don’t be afraid to reach out! Here is a link to the Crisis Text Line if you are looking for someone to chat to or more resources! There is absolutlely no shame in reaching out. Do what is best for you. Whatever you are going through is completely valid, and there are people out there that care for you!
I hope you enjoyed today’s post, and I’ll see you on the next one!