Had some positive thoughts about anxiety and wanted to share

[blimpsgo180]

Hello all. I've had anxiety attacks for nine years and it hasn't been easy. Recently I made a list to help put an end to my attacks. I was initially afraid to share. Recently I had a neighbor in my apartment building talk trash about me to another neighbor, going as far as to mock me for my anxiety attacks. But I feel like a message board like this is a judgement free zone. Let's get on to the list I made:

- Daily exercise. I used to be a runner a full 12 years ago, before I had any anxiety, and I want to get back to that. I was having a late night ChatGPT session asking about anxiety and one of the things it recommended is aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise reduces cortisol levels, which is a stress hormone. It also increases chemicals in the body that make you feel happy and relaxed. A win win win!

- Eliminate medical marijuana. I had a doctor get me a medical marijuana license for my anxiety, but this has made my anxiety worse. It would make me feel paranoid, and the paranoia increased the likelihood of an attack. Cut this out of my life.

- Don't lie in bed all day. Sometimes the anxiety would be so bad that I wouldn't want to leave the bed. Get out of that habit. It's a beautiful day. The world is your oyster. Etc.

- Cut back on coffee. I'm having about 40% the amount of coffee that I used to have. It took a couple weeks, but I'm now feeling a lot less wired and jittery. This was definitely adding to my anxiety.

- Watch what I eat. I started getting back in the habit of having a big fruit and leafy green smoothie every morning. This was only about four mornings ago, but I'm already starting to feel so much healthier throughout the day. There is ample evidence that gut health impacts mood and consequently anxiety. This was also from my late night ChatGPT session.

- Start having "expansive" thoughts. This is something I got from a YouTube video. Basically, if you go around saying things to yourself like "I could never go to that party, my anxiety would be out of control" then it comes true. But if you say "I could go to that party and I would see people I really like and have a good time," that also comes true. You can be what you think, so don't think in terms of anxiety crippling you. Start thinking you can do more things.

That's my list and I'm sticking to it. I'm trying to put an end to my anxiety sooner rather than later. I just had an epiphany (maybe because I have a birthday coming up) that I can't live my entire life anxious. It's already been nine years. Time to start enjoying life and not fearing it.

[Hidden]

absolutely love it!!

[Itmewithanxiety]

This list is amazing, thank you for sharing!! Please take pride in the action you are taking because this is awesome! ☺️ I also would like to work towards daily exercise. Take care!

[LoveforAll41]

Hi blimpsgo! I hope you resolve this good and thoroughly at this time in your life

[Starrlight]

Niiiiiice list!!! ☺️

[MaggieSylvie]

This is SO good. The list would be very useful to people who DON'T have anxiety! That last one on the list is a hard one. In coaching, we call it reframing. Saying these things to yourself doesn't mean you actually have to go to the party; it's just a way of changing your thinking habits, but well done for that amazing list.☺️👍☺️

[Stilltrying2]

This is very insightful. I too have recently incorporated some of these things in my life. I am not where I want to be, but I am making progress.