For as long as I remember I have suffered from major anxiety issues and still do. Many people thought I had left high school at a very young age because I didn’t like it but the truth was I left because I was suffering from panic attacks, depression and extreme social anxiety at the time.  None of which my parents or close friends knew about.  Since then I have had few depressive/ anxiety episodes where they have grown into full blown panic attacks to a sense of overwhelming fear.  It has taken me a very long time but recent years have shown that I have somehow learnt to manage my anxiety to a more controllable state.  Here are 5 things I have learnt that has helped me deal with anxiety.

1. Sleep.  If you can try and get whatever the recommended dose is (8 hours) every night. Try and establish a sleeping routine, one that will work for you.  I can not recommend this enough
2. Take regular breaks at work or study.
3. Surround yourself with people who are loving, accepting and are positive influences in your life.  For a certain period in my life, I went out with a guy who made it obvious that I was flawed and to be loveable/acceptable to him and his social circle I need to change physically but also personality. When that relationship ended, and I began to rebuild my life again, I found it easier to deal with my anxiety because the friends that I already had continued to be supportive even though I didn’t realise it when I was in said relationship.  Please note mentioned ex was not a horrible guy and was a major instigator in forcing me to get professional help.  It was just easier to finally deal with things when the relationship had finally finished.
4. Establish regular exercise into your life.  I wish I had switched onto this earlier.  Exercise for your own wellbeing and not to compete with others…..unless you’re that way inclined.
5. Delay worrying.  When you find yourself worrying about something – tell yourself that you worry about it later.  Quite often the things we worry about the most never actually occur.

Next week I will try write 5 more ways to deal with anxiety. How do you cope with anxiety and stress?