This May Help...

[LMCello]

I thought I would share a few different tips I have tried for myself over the years. Medication is a helpful tool for anxiety and depression, but you have to have coping skills, too! Try one of these ideas and see if it is helpful to you.

-Write yourself some directions for what to do when anxiety starts to creep up on you. Keep your directions close at hand and use them as a guide. It may help ground you and center you back into reality.

-List your support system. People you will call if you start to go downhill as well as when you feel fine. There is ALWAYS someone around you who cares about you and wants to help. If you feel like you have no one, let me be that person. I care about you. You don't even have to talk to them about your symptoms all the time; just call to have a conversation! Sometimes we forget that these relationships are so important.

-Ask someone for a hug. It releases endorphins into your body.

-Set a goal, however simple it may be. Accomplishing something proves to yourself that anxiety does not control your life. You are a strong person. Reward yourself for accomplishing your goal. Give yourself a dollar to help save up for something you've had your eye on but you don't really need. Or a sticker! Stickers are fun! See how many days in a row you can set and accomplish a goal.

I hope this helps someone. If you're like me, you expect too much of yourself, but you don't think you do. You want to get everything done right now. Or get over your anxiety right now. You have to take it step by step. Have you ever climbed up a climbing wall? It's one step at a time. And sometimes it's scary. But you have people behind you cheering you on! Don't give up. Take a deep breath and think about the next step. If that's too hard, ASK FOR HELP. We are all here for each other. No on is ever alone.

What are some things you have found to help?

[Agora1]

LMCello....Sending you a virtual "HUG"