Conquering Anxiety: Learning from others
Hi everyone! I hope you are doing well. This is week 7 of our Conquering Anxiety series. Please complete the earlier post if you have not yet! This week we will be learning from @fearlessSail5693, a teen member who has generously agreed to share their own experience in dealing with anxiety and how they managed to make progress.
At what point did you start this journey and what steps did you take early on?
I started this journey when I was tired of feeling anxious and scared every day. I was being crushed under the weight of being unable to live freely and that's when I decided to bring a change. Initially, i asked for advice and help and found out what method works for me the best
What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
Initially, I wasn't able to stop ruminating and feeling anxious and was about to give up. There were days when I kept doubting if my phobia/anxiety is ever going to end or not. But I kept hoping and believing that I could do it! Eventually, I learned my way through it. Even I learned what words would trigger my anxiety and instead of avoiding them completely, I slowly used them myself so I could grow out of it. The key to this whole process is just trusting yourself
What are your tips for people who wish to better manage their anxiety?
Keep your hopes high and believe in yourself that you can and you will manage your anxiety! There will be some ups and downs but don't let them discourage you. Don't think that it'll be gone in a day or two, be consistent in whatever you do and slowly you'll start seeing results. Stay optimistic!
What methods/habits were helpful for me to get over my anxiety
I tried to avoid rumination by not paying attention to it much and just agreeing with whatever my brain kept telling me. I tried Leaves on a stream meditation every day consistently which helped me tremendously
I also worked on controlling my breath so whenever I felt extremely anxious, I tried to maintain my breathing pattern and I started going for walks which kept my mind clear of any anxious thoughts even if temporary
Thank you for sharing your experience with us!
The task of the week! (Please stick to the prompts based on your account type)
For members
- Does any of the points mentioned by sail resonate with you?
- Can you think of anything sail did that may be beneficial to apply in your life?
For listeners
- How can you support someone who is struggling with anxiety and wishes to use exposure therapy to overcome it?
- You are welcome to share words of encouragement with sail.
Both members and listeners can ask sail further questions by tagging them. Sail will answer the questions they feel comfortable to answer.
This post is part of the Conquering Anxiety series, you can find all posts of the series here.
@Hope
- Does any of the points mentioned by sail resonate with you?
Sail's description of living in anxiety and feeling crushed by it really struck a chord. I too am sick of overthinking almost everything and holding myself back out of irrational fear.
- Can you think of anything sail did that may be beneficial to apply in your life?
I think taking walks when anxious might help me too.
@Hope In supporting someone with anxiety, I think it's important to reassure them that 1. They are not alone and 2. Nothing is "wrong" with them. As a listener I would direct them to the resources & Cups has on anxiety. If permissible, I would also direct them to the YouTube channel Psych2Go. they have some great - short videos on anxiety that have helped me. I would encourage them to keep talking because getting the thoughts out sometimes makes them less scary. I like the idea of the "Calm Kit" and I might suggest making one and asking what kinds of things they could put in one etc.
About rumination - what has helped me is labeling what I'm doing as ruminating- and again asking myself what is real? Because many times I'm worrying about things that haven't happened - or I'm ruminating about something I've done with negative self talk - which is a lie - and I tell myself that.
@Hope
Does any of the points mentioned by sail resonate with you?
No, I don't think I resonate anywhere with sail.
Can you think of anything sail did that may be beneficial to apply in your life?
The leaves on stream meditation. I have to be consistent with it so that it can help me.
Thank you for this series Hope❤
@Hope
I can support others by providing a safe environment to share their feelings, validate, encourage, and help them acknowledge even the smallest achievements. I will encourage them to be consistent.
Progress is Progress: Every step forward, no matter how small, is progress.
@Hope
1. The first thing to do would be to talk to someone who experiences anxiety
2. The second thing would be to give them the referral link to 7Cups and encourage them to work with "Getting Unstuck" self-help guide and maybe try the path. I would also recommend that they try the anxiety self-help guide.
3. I would probably also refer them to resources with credible backgrounds
@Hope
Does any of the points mentioned by sail resonate with you?
I think I can resonate with not being able to stop ruminating. I think I do that a lot and I overthink things and it makes me a lot more worried and scared about simple stuff.
Can you think of anything sail did that may be beneficial to apply in your life?
It'd probably be beneficial if I could just trust myself and be more hopeful and believe in myself more. I guess it might also be helpful if I work on controlling my breath when I feel anxious.
@Hope
- How can you support someone who is struggling with anxiety and wishes to use exposure therapy to overcome it?
- I would let them know I am here for them anytime and do the exposure therapy with them so their not feeling alone and have someone to connect with
@Hope
Yes I guess I can see that I might have similar feelings towards being anxious. However, Sail did not give up and was determined and went through the discomfort to change so that means that
Wea lso can do that I guess.
@Hope
- Does any of the points mentioned by sail resonate with you? Yes, I also experience anxiety. Listening to the negative thoughts told by the mind triggers me. Even negative comments from others also triggers my anxiety. I have learned to not focus on other's comments and criticisms but to take it as a learning opportunity for me to grow.
- Can you think of anything sail did that may be beneficial to apply in your life? The leaves on a stream mediation can also be applied in my life.
@Hope
How can you support someone who is struggling with anxiety and wishes to use exposure therapy to overcome it?
Supporting someone with anxiety means being there for them in a calm, patient and understanding way. It's important to celebrate their small wins and remind them that progress is slow but steady. Also, respect their pace and not push them too fast to make changes.
Sail, I’m so proud of how far you’ve come! And thank you for sharing your journey and helping others along the way!