Anxiety is defined as the feeling of uneasiness, usually about a situation with an uncertain outcome. Everyone experiences anxiety. One minute everything's OK and the next minute the world is spinning and nothing is right. You feel distant and scared and worried about whatever it is that causes the anxiousness. Most people never know what to do in this situation. Here are a few questions to ask yourself when having an anxiety attack. These tips will help you ease the uneasiness that anxiety causes.
1. Am I safe?
Is the situation safe? Do you feel extremely uncomfortable? If yes, leave the situation. If you feel comfortable but anxious, try focusing on your surroundings. You're in the kitchen, sitting at the table. Focus on yourself to bring you back to reality.
2. Can I/do I need help?
Do you need to go and get your roommate? Is the problem so bad you need someone to help you out? Getting help does not make you weak, or vulnerable. Everyone needs help once in a while. Call, text, knock on your neighbors door. Anyone who will be willing to sit with you while you calm down.
3. Who can I call?
Your mom, dad, sister, brother, cousin, best friend, ex boyfriend, coworker, etc. Call someone who will make you feel better. Call someone who can help you at this very moment.
4. Is my breathing uneven?
Do I need to stop and take a few breaths? Can I calm myself down by fixing my breathing? Take deep breaths, inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth. Focus only on that.
5. Have I eaten?
Eating can be a great distraction to get your mind in a better place. Grab a sandwich or something simple like a granola bar and allow yourself to only focus on eating at that moment.
6. Can I be OK?
Is the situation solved? Can I get through this? Usually, yes. Anxiety attacks usually end. Anxiety happens to everyone. Focus on being in the moment. You can't change the future or the past, you can only live. You will be OK.
