Five Ways To Cope With Anxiety

Drawing – Try taking some time out of your day to draw in an adult colouring book. If this doesn’t appeal to you, do something efficient like plan what you’re going to do tomorrow. ‘’When you’re colouring, you’re not really thinking about anything else. In that moment - when you’re sitting down with a traditional piece of paper and some pens, no apps, no noise - you almost go back to being a kid again. Colouring provides a bit of escapism.’’ – Tiddy Rowan

Journaling – This is something that helped with my anxiety massively. Whenever I feel an episode coming on I will write every single emotion I feel down rather than act on my feelings in that moment. This also applies to when I’m angry, upset or stressed out, not just anxious. If you have the time to journal daily, you can also just write about what you did that day and what you want to improve in your life etc. and this will help manage your anxiety long term. I recommend the happiness planner or the ‘I’m doing my best’ inner truth journal.

Listen To Music – go somewhere where you’re alone and listen to music. Try to listen to something uplifting and upbeat rather than something lyrical and complex that will have you even more in your feelings. This should distract your mind from the issues that you’re feeling anxious about and at least relieve you of the uncomfortable feelings for a short time.

Talk To Someone – It is really difficult to find someone who will understand your anxiety and the right things to say when you’re worrying, but if you have even one person who you can talk to in these moments it can help so much. I like to call my close friends who know how to hear me out and then distract my mind by reminding me of positive things/events I have coming up or anything I should look forward to.

Study  - depending on what the source of my anxiety is, studying helps me take my mind off my worries. If studying is what’s causing stress or anxiety though, it’s best to avoid this. However, if I’m worried about an argument or stresses at home, going to a quiet place like a library with my textbooks helps me zone out whilst being productive. If you’re not studying at the moment, try reading a book to help you escape.