A Guide to Dealing with Anxiety and Stress.
I think we can all agree that anxiety is the worst.
It fucking sucks, and with a pandemic coming into the mix of an already super anxiety-inducing year, I think we all need to take a moment to calm the fuck down, but calming down can be hard.
How can anybody deal with all of this? Even thinking about it can make the most chill person freak. Well, freak not because not only can I, an anxious mess, learn to deal with anxiety, but I can teach you how to do it too.
“Sounds hard," I hear you say. Well, I promise, it really isn’t, and just like every article on Buzzfeed, there are 5 easy tips on how to deal with your stress and/or anxiety.
1.Eat Right
Usually, when people stress, they head for the comfort foods: chocolate bars, mac ‘n’ cheese, cake, etc. Even though they're delicious, they are (and this may come as a shock) not great for you. The best things to eat when combating the bitch that is anxiety is eating your fruits and veggies. I know they don’t all taste as good as a hot fudge sundae, but they make your body feel great and when your body feels good so will your brain. Plus, there are so many different healthy foods to choose from. Have you ever heard of a fruit called soursop? I didn’t. The sky’s the limit with all of the healthy foods you can try so go out and try them!
2. Take a Self-Care Day
Self-care is super important!!!
Sometimes we just need a break from school, work, and whatever else is forcing us to not snuggle up in bed with a coloring book and the newest Netflix show (I suggest Bridgerton, it’s so good). If your head’s overworked, you’re obviously going to be losing your mind so take a day to yourself and turn off notifications for everything except your mom (I’ve tried, she got super offended #didnotendwell). So grab a journal, DIY project, or face mask because life is messy and if you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t expect to be able to take care of other people.
3. Make a Schedule!
I am the most forgetful person I know (maybe it’s because I forgot the other forgetful people) so I can tell you for sure that a schedule can work wonders for dealing with anxiety especially if it’s related to school. Making a schedule not only tells you when you have to do things, but it also tells you how much. I’d say that, personally, the thing that stresses me out the most is thinking about all the work that I have to do. Anyone who’s felt this way knows how bad it can get because if you’re like me 4 things can feel like 4 billion, which is where the schedule comes in. With your schedule all set up things will feel more manageable. You can feel a little less anxious about that Anxiety article you have to turn in in a few days; when you’re finished you can even schedule a little dance party to celebrate having done it.
4. Exercise Exercise Exercise
I can say it a thousand times:
A HAPPY BODY MEANS A HAPPY MIND. When your body feels good your brain will feel good too. Some people will say that exercising is boring and hard, but it doesn’t have to be. There are so. many. ways. to. move. Going to the gym is not the only way to exercise. Go walk your dog. Don’t have a dog? Walk somebody else’s dog and you can make money too. Some of you are probably thinking, “Jill, walking puppies is cool and all but I need something a little more exciting.” If that’s the case, I have fantastic news for you. There is this wonderful game called, Just Dance, and if you like dancing you must TikTok. Exercising isn’t just waiting to use the treadmill while Chad McBuff finishes his 42nd lap and stinks up the whole gym, it can be super easy and super fun.
5. Get Some Sleep
YOU NEED SLEEP. College students tend to run on nothing but coffee and spite for that one professor who only posts the essay two days before it’s due. That lifestyle is one of the biggest reasons for anxiety. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, a happy body means a happy mind! When your body isn't taken care of properly it will tell you with stress, anxiety, oh and that zombie feeling.
My advice:
Set a bedtime.
I know you’re not six but having a bedtime will make sure you are getting those sweet ‘z’s. So drink some sleepy time tea and tuck yourself in you tired zombie child, it’s about time you get some rest.
There you go. It’s really that easy. You don’t even have to do them all, just do whatever works for you. Anxiety is a bitch and can be hard to deal with, but you’re not alone because pretty much everybody has it. So now grab some friends and play a game together or just sit down with a cup of tea because now you know 5 tips and tricks to dealing with the dumb bitch that is anxiety.