How Ireland Reduced My Anxiety Problems | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

How Ireland Reduced My Anxiety Problems

It's refreshing to know that America's way isn't the only way to do things.

14
How Ireland Reduced My Anxiety Problems
Shanell Peterson

It's been about a year since I came to terms with my anxiety problems. For quite awhile I secluded myself away from the world, petrified of judgement. But after sitting in my car, crying my eyes out to my boyfriend for the third time in a week, I decided that something had to change. I couldn't live being afraid of the world anymore. I called the doctor and set up an appointment.

After just a few days of counseling and antidepressants, I started to feel normal again. I was crying less and less and soon, I wasn't crying at all. I could finally rationalize the things going on around me. It felt so good to be myself again.

Prior to all this, I had decided to go to Ireland. It feels to good to know that even at my hardest moments, I still push myself. On June 3rd, I boarded a plane to start a two month-adventure.

Ireland is a beautiful country, and it's nothing like I expected. Despite all of the similarities, America and Ireland are two very different places. The biggest difference that I've encountered is the fact that they are much more present. Instead of burying their faces in their phones, they actively engage with the people they are with. They take longer lunch breaks and stop working at 6 p.m. when the workday ends. They take time to enjoy themselves, to enjoy each other. And I think that's why Ireland has had a hand in reducing my anxiety problems.

Molly Malone is supposed to give good luck to all those who rub her boobs. I think this proves that the Irish are relaxed and fun people.

America thrives on stress. Everything has a date or a number attached to it--times to be somewhere, when things are due, how much we weigh. I'm not saying that Ireland doesn't think about these things, but they aren't controlled by them. In Ireland, you aren't given specific directions as to how to complete tasks. You only have guidelines, allowing creativity and energy to flow into each project. It's refreshing to know that America's way isn't the only way to do things.

It took me a couple weeks once I got to Ireland to start taking my medication. First, the time difference really threw me off. I usually take my pill at night, but I kept going out with my friends at that time, resulting in me forgetting to take it all together. The second reason it took me a while to start taking my medication again was that I barely noticed a difference in how I felt. I was being social and making friends. It was great! I want to stop taking the medication; I don't want to have to take a pill to maintain my sanity anymore.

I've met so many wonderful people during my Ireland trip.

I brought this up to a few of my new friends one night, and they both said I needed to continue taking them. I knew they were right, but I didn't want to listen to them. I went a few more days taking them inconsistently until I felt the sting again.

I'm not sure if other people with anxiety feel this way, but, for me, anxiety feels like a sting. It stabs my heart and makes me overthink things. It keeps me up at night. It tells me others dislike who I am.

Luckily, this feeling didn't last. As soon as I felt the sting again, I made a pact with myself to take my meds consistently. I don't want to feel that way again--especially not while in Ireland--and, since then, I haven't had another issue.

I'm not sure if I'll ever stop taking my medication. My family history proves that my anxiety/depression issues are definitely caused by an imbalance of serotonin. But perhaps, once I'm ready, I'll stop taking them. And when I do, I'll remember my time in Ireland and what the Irish taught me.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

212
How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl roommates
StableDiffusion

Where do we begin when we start talking about our roommates? You practically spend every moment with them, they become your second family and they deal with you at your best and at your absolute worst. They are there to make you laugh just a little harder, cry a little less and make each day a little better. We often forget to thank them for the little things that they do to make college even a tiny bit easier and more fun. This list of 26 things are what you should thank your roommates for right this minute and every day that you live with them.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

20 Thoughts While Studying For Finals

I may or may not be stressing right now.

1404
Thoughts While Studying For Finals
StableDiffusion


That time of the semester has arrived once again, finals. The worst week ever. Who thought it was a good idea for all your classes to have exams all in the same week? Definitely not me. Here's 20 thoughts you may have studying for finals.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

6424
Disney magic kingdom castle on new years
StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

40 Gift Ideas for the Indecisive

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

120546
Christmas gifts around a tree
StableDiffusion

It's officially December. There is less than a month of 2024, and I still feel like yesterday was summer. Now comes the merriest time of the year, the Christmas season.

Everyone has been waiting for this time of year since mid-October (which is way too early, in my opinion) or before. It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. A lot of times when I ask friends and family what they want, I get a lot of "I don't know" or "I don't care."

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments