Getting Through the Rough Days

Everyone has rough days, but having anxiety on top of those rough days can make life seem impossible. Anxiety makes it harder to leave those bad days in the past. We dwell, rethink, and overanalyze every aspect and try to determine exactly what went wrong. I often find myself thinking that I could have done better, or that if I had just done something differently the day would have gone more smoothly. Well it's time to leave that mindset in the dust! Below are a few tips to help you deal with the bad days.

1. Find a buddy.

Dealing with anxiety can be a daunting task. Make things easier by finding a buddy. Find someone that you trust, that knows what you are going through, and let yourself lean on them. If you are having a rough day, don't be afraid to give them a call. Vent, and tell them everything. In order to put something behind you, you have to acknowledge that it happened. Having a support system can be a huge relief, and sometimes all you need is someone to tell you that everything is going to be okay. If you don't have anyone that you can ask for help, you can always seek out a counselor. They are great listeners, and you will not find any judgement with them.

2. Get mad.

When I have bad days, I seem to always feel defeated. Like I let my anxiety get the best of me. Feeling defeated and sad isn't going to make you feel any better after having a bad day. Get mad! Get angry! Tell yourself that you are not going to let your anxiety control you any more! Put your foot down, and you may just realize that you are the one in control.

3. Focus

If you are struggling with putting a bad day in the past, try to turn your focus to something else. Make a list of your dream travel destinations, or new foods that you want to try. See how many different car companies that you can name. Daydream about your favorite book or movie. What would you do if you were in your favorite character's shoes? Do anything you can to keep yourself from focusing on the negative.

4. Let go.

Lastly, it's important to let the bad go. If you are going to get through a rough day, you will need to put the bad behind you. Yes, it happened. Yes, you probably felt terrible. However, that doesn't mean that it is going to happen again tomorrow. Acknowledge that it happened, and put it behind you. Look forward to a new day, and a fresh start. Tomorrow may be one of the best days you've had in a long time! But you can guarantee that it won't be if you carry the bad from your previous rough day.

Anxiety isn't fun. It is something that I have struggled with for the past two years. So to anyone who is reading this, my last piece of advice to you is this: Don't give up, because there will be better days ahead. Keep fighting, and stay strong.