Everyone has a little bit of anxiety, and sometimes it's worse for others. An anxiety attack can come out of nowhere, and it doesn't necessarily mean a total meltdown. It affects people in different ways and sometimes an attack ends up being a combination of things going on inside that person.
My anxiety usually gets worse when I'm around a large crowd of people, have a lot going on mentally or emotionally, or when I get too stressed. So as finals come up, I know I have to keep a close eye on how I'm feeling. These few things help me avoid an anxiety attack, so maybe they'll help you.
1. Give Yourself Space
By this I mean give yourself something to do that will help you escape all the thoughts and emotions going on within you. For me, a good book, or drawing for a bit, will help pull me away from the edge because it can take me into a different world where none of my problems exist for a while. It can give me the short break I need in order to keep going.
2. Talk
This may not help a lot of people, but when I have a huge mix of stress and anxiety, talking to someone about what I need to do helps. I get their perspective on what maybe I should do first as well as able to let out some of the frustration the emotions cause me. It can also help because after talking about what's wrong, you can talk about something interesting to help lighten the load a little bit.
3. Alone - Or Not
When you're on the edge of an anxiety attack, meltdown, breakdown, whatever you call it, sometimes it's better to be alone. Being around too many people when I'm on the edge can send me over, partly because my anxiety ricochets up when I'm around a lot of people. When that happens and I'm at an event, I try to go outside for a breather or lock myself into the bathroom. However, there are also times where being alone is the worst thing, because it allows me to keep thinking over things to the point of no return. You have to learn your own limit and what the difference for you is, but it's important to realize when you need to be alone or when you need a comforting hug.
4. Journal/Diary
This may sound cliche, but keeping a journal or diary could help. Writing about the everyday life, what bothers you or what makes you happy, can help you stave off an anxiety attack. You don't have to talk to anyone, and you can keep whatever you want private while also getting it off your chest. Walmart and Walgreens have some very neat journals. :)
5. Let It Happen
This may sound counter intuitive to most of what I've been saying up to now, but let yourself have that anxiety attack. I say this because sometimes it can help more than talking or writing it out. Sometimes being alone or getting a hug isn't going to help... sometimes you just really need to let it all out in whatever form it usually takes place as. This may not work for everyone, but if you think it might help, maybe try it with someone you trust with you.
Again, anxiety affects people differently so these may or may not help. I just really hope that they do since I have gotten through some rough spots in my life using them. In the end, it's about what is going to be best for you to do and how you should go about taking care of yourself. Stay safe and know you're loved! <3
