It’s been a while since I wrote one of these…..4 months to be exact 😳. I know right, who am I? Can I technically be called a blogger still? Lol
Since we’re experiencing anxious times, I thought it’d be a good idea to pop back in and do a small life update/ give you guys a few tips on how to beat anxiety.
Anywho, it’s been a while blog fam and while some of you may not have noticed, I feel a personal responsibility to explain myself to my readers, supporters and pretty much anyone wondering where the f*ck I’ve been….all 3 of you.
The Update
Many of you may or may not know that in my professional life, I work in influencer marketing. In short, I’m the one who influencers reach out to and vice versa to collaborate on brand deals and partnerships.
Last October, the startup company I was working at ended up going under and that left me unemployed, stressed and feeling like a failure.
What made things worse was that it was done from one day to the next and just like that, my whole world was upside down.
From October until December I was in a bit of a pinch mentally, financially, emotionally. I literally felt like I was hanging on by a thread some days.
During this time I went on so many job interviews with no call backs, took on some low paying freelance gigs, was stressed out of my mind worrying about bills and to top it off, my car window was smashed, my car got broken into and my laptop, purse and wallet, hard-drive – everything was stolen from my car.
Needless to say my anxiety was through the roof so I decided to learn how to manage it rather than be crippled by it.
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How to beat anxiety
1. Journal
One of the best things that has helped me manage my anxiety has been a journal. Something about getting my thoughts out of my head and onto paper has been so therapeutic and really helps ease my mind.
Journaling doesn’t have to be something grand. It can literally be a few sentences, random thoughts, ideas, even a few drawings or inspirational quotes.
I personally jot down anything going through my mind at the time to get it off my chest. Sometimes it’s more personal, other times it’s a to-do list. The beauty of journaling is that there’s no right or wrong way of doing it so it’s completely up to you to structure it.
If you’re struggling with anxiety, do yourself a favor and invest in a journal. It’s so much cheaper than therapy!
2. Practice Gratitude
Like journaling, practicing gratitude has been an absolute game changer when it comes to managing my anxiety. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of life and all the “what ifs” (especially now) I shift my mindset to focus on the positive things.
The great thing about gratitude is that not only is it free, it can be done anywhere, anytime. It can be a short list of grateful thoughts you have on your way to work or they can be written out as part of your daily journaling routine.
Gratitude has helped me focus on the important things in life rather than waste my energy on insignificant things that only trigger my anxiety.
Here’s a short list of things I’m grateful for on a daily basis. Sometimes I add some, sometimes I completely change it up.
Today, I am grateful for:
- My family
- My drive and ambition
- Perseverance
- Strength and abilities
- The roof over my head
- The ability to provide for myself
The most important thing to do, especially when you want to beat anxiety, is to jot down or think of a few things you’re grateful for and focus on the good surrounding your life.
3. Get Moving Workout
Another thing that really helps me when I’m feeling down, stressed or anxious is to get up and get moving. Working out has been such a huge part of my life in recent years, especially when I feel like my anxiety is taking over.
Weekly hikes help me clear my mind and spending time in nature gives me that extra boost of serotonin I need. I also try to take different types of classes at my local gym and different studios to mix things up and challenge my body physically.
Class Pass is an awesome way to get out and try new classes in your area. I recently started taking cycling classes at a few different studios in LA and they have been completely life changing!
If you’re not into group fitness classes, Openfit is a GREAT alternative. The app can be easily accessed on your laptop, phone or smart TV. I’ve been using Openfit since January and have absolutely loved the convenience of working out at home when I can’t make it to the gym.
Openfit also has meal plans to help users meet their weight goals which I think is really cool! I will say as cool and convenient as Openfit is, there is a monthly membership fee to access the programs.
If you’re interested in checking out Openfit, here’s a link where you can get 14 days free before signing up.
4. Pick up a hobby
When anxiety gets the best of me, I lose all focus and tend to obsess on the very things that cause me to feel uneasy.
Picking up a hobby (like this blog) has allowed me to work on something instead of letting my anxiety take over, though I’m not going to lie, sometimes it does.
Still, having the option to have something to do other than worry and play scenarios in my head over and over is so much better than feeling trapped in your own head.
If you’re interested in starting a blog too, here’s a short and sweet outline in the steps to take. I literally started this blog on a whim one night when my anxiety was at an all time high.
How to start a blog (spark notes edition):
- Pick a niche
- Select a domain name + host (I use Bluehost and haven’t had any issues with them since I started this blog)
- Select a template
- Get to writing!
I’ll be writing an in depth blog on this later so keep an eye out for that. Until then, I hope this helps 🙂
5. Try CBD
CBD has been the talk of the town for the past couple of years. If you’re not familiar with CBD, it’s a chemical compound from the Cannabis sativa plant.
When it comes to dealing with anxiety, I’ve found that CBD gives me that peace I need to function. Personally, I was skeptical when I heard about CBD helping with anxiety but I realized it really all depends on the product, the milligrams and HOW anxious you are at the time of taking it.
If you want to try CBD I highly recommend Holiday CBD Gummies not only are the gummies effective, they are absolutely delicious and don’t leave behind that weird taste some CBD products do.
*shameless plug*
If you choose to buy Holiday CBD Gummies be sure to use code CYN10 for $10 off your first purchase.
Mandara is another CBD brand I love! I have their cinnamon oil and it goes great with my black coffee in the morning! Not to mention it gets the job done and you get a sense of calmness to start the day.
6. Focus on What You Can Control
It’s so easy to get lost in negative thoughts that cause anxiety. Over the past year, I’ve learned to switch my mindset and shift focus on things that I CAN control.
You know that saying “control your mindset, control your life” maybe it’s not even a saying lol anyway, the moment I chose to change my mindset and ONLY focus on the things I could control, my life changed.
It’s been a process and it’s taken patience and practice but I’ve finally been able to only focus on the things I can control and my anxiety has been at the lowest it’s been in years.
Yes, I sometimes get little spells or things come up that trigger anxiety and when that does happen, I take some CBD, do a little workout, write in my journal and focus on the positives in life.
7. Be Aware of What Causes Your Anxiety
In order to beat anxiety, you have to face it and know where it’s coming from. Easier said than done right?
This is where journaling comes in handy.
Go back through your journal and see if there are any patterns that you notice. For me, uncertainty is one of many triggers. Not knowing what will happen in certain situations causes me anxiety but I’ve learned to get that under control practicing the steps I mentioned above.
When it comes to beating anxiety, I’ve learned that self reflection and self awareness help a lot. If I feel any signs anxiety coming on, I immediately stop what I’m doing and assess the situation. This has helped me identify WHAT is causing me to feel anxious and has really helped me get things under control.
8. Meditate
Some people say that meditation helps them in their journey to beat anxiety, but to be honest, it makes me more anxious. Something about sitting still while the world continues to, makes me uneasy, but it may work for you!
Headspace is a good (and free) app that helps you meditate anytime, anywhere.
I hope these simple tips on how to beat anxiety have been helpful to you! I’m all about progressing, learning and growing with minimal pharmaceutical help.
Let me know if you’ve tried any these tips or if you have any tips of your own to add!
Until next time bbs,
Hi Cynthia! I absolutely loved your post! I overcame anxiety and I can resonate with a lot of your points. My blog surrounds mental health and wellness as well. It is so refreshing to be able to share your knowledge and stories in the hopes that it can help another person. I love it!!