Living with Anxiety and Depression

Dealing with anxiety is not an easy task. Anxiety can paralyze you and make some of the simplest activities impossible, but they aren't impossible. If you are dealing with an anxiety disorder then I am sure you have heard this before, but I will say it again: It is all in your head, a chemical balance inside the brain. Scientists have yet to master how to alter brain chemistry perfectly so that's why it is up to the afflicted to learn how to cope on their own. Now I'll be honest I definitely don't cope healthily all the time, I watch too much Netflix, I use people as crutches, and I even call out of work on days that are really, really bad. Anxiety can leave a toll on your life, it can put holes in your relationships and in your life in general. Having depression on top of all this? Feeling like a failure and not having the energy to do anything about it? Worrying about being a failure and not doing anything about it? Anxiety and depression can cause a vicious cycle of emotions inside your world. Not to get preachy here but finding healthy coping mechanisms is the only way that these things can become manageable.

Things I Find That Do Work:

1. Going to the gym. Get your body moving! Get those endorphins flowing! Exercise is a good way to restore some of the brain chemicals you may be lacking. Though the "work out high" is relatively short, staying active can keep you healthy and motivated.
2. Doing things you normally wouldn't do. If you force yourself to do things you normally wouldn't do you can slowly condition yourself to do certain things that trigger you with ease. I didn't drive on the highway for the longest time because of my anxiety. I started driving it at night and slowly began driving at earlier and earlier times, exposing myself to more traffic. Anxiety is a fear of something bad happening. If you can prove to yourself that nothing bad is going to happen when you do something that gives you anxiety it will no longer have a hold over you.
3. You time. If you are constantly with friends or a significant other, they will become a crutch. From firsthand experience, I've had times in my life where I could not even leave the house without my boyfriend. Treat yourself, learn to be okay and comfortable with yourself.
4. Keep yourself busy. Too much down time can have negative effects to a person with anxiety or depression. Things can fester. Anxiety and depression can worsen if you spend too much time doing nothing. I find that I am at my best when I have a full schedule.
5. Emotion release. All of these coping mechanisms will not work to their full effect if you are not regularly getting your emotions out. Whether it is talk therapy or journaling, there needs to be an emotional release.

I know that anxiety and depression is crippling, and that these things won't work everyday, that some days you won't have the energy to help yourself. I can't tell you that it will be easy, because nothing that is worth it is easy. I will say though, I think fighting for better mental health is sure as hell worth it. Show yourself that you are in control, that the chemicals in your brain do not determine who you are. It does not define you and it does not define me.