I struggled with fear and anxiety for over 20 years and there were times I felt like giving up.
Discovering Effective Techniques In Overcoming Anxiety
In order to get through those difficult times, the first thing I did was admit that I had a problem. I then took the steps to find a mental health counselor who could help me with my situation. I also made the effort to learn as much as I could in dealing with various anxiety disorders by reading a lot of books and doing a lot of personal research.
I knew that the answers I was looking for were out there and all I had to do was make an effort to find them. Over time, I became very knowledgeable on how to deal with fear and anxiety which helped me in the long run.
Learning From My Previous Mental Health Experiences
In time, I became better able to conquer my fears and anxieties. Whenever I encountered a fearful and anxiety related situation, I would apply the techniques I learned from the professionals and from my research.
Instead of looking at my struggles as a problem, I looked at each situation as a learning experience.
For example, I remembered when I first learned to ice skate. In the beginning, I fell down all the time, but I kept getting back up even though it was very difficult. Over time, I did not fall as much and eventually I was able to skate without falling down.
It was very tough and scary dealing with my anxieties, however I made an effort to find out which techniques worked for me. I would then write down this information in a small notebook.
The next time I encountered a similar situation, I was better able to face my fears by reading my notes. This prevented me from repeating the same mistakes I made in the past.
How I Got Through Each Week Dealing With My Fears And Anxieties
Whenever I struggled with my fear and anxiety, I made it a habit to take things one day at a time. I made an effort to not dwell on my fearful thoughts which were telling me that I was not going to make it.
I also realized that you can’t predict the future. A person may be 99% correct in predicting the future, but all it takes is that 1% to make a difference. There are factors and circumstances that you can’t predict or anticipate that can make the difference in your current situation.
What I Learned About Happiness When It Comes To Mental Health
Happiness is not the result of bouncing from one joy to the next; researchers find that achieving happiness typically involves times of considerable discomfort. Genetic makeup, life circumstances, achievements, marital status, social relationships, even your neighbors—all influence how happy you are. Or can be. So do individual ways of thinking and expressing feelings. Research shows that much of happiness is under personal control.
Regularly indulging in small pleasures, getting absorbed in challenging activities, setting and meeting goals, maintaining close social ties, and finding purpose beyond oneself all increase life satisfaction. It isn’t happiness per se that promotes well-being, it’s the actual pursuit that’s key.
How I Maintained A Positive Outlook
I found it can be very challenging to remain optimistic when dealing with depression, fear, and anxiety. Depression is often associated with overwhelming feelings of loneliness, despair, and hopelessness. Many people describe depression as the feeling of drowning, which leaves them without energy and the ability to complete many everyday tasks. Here are a few tips I used in my personal life when I struggled with my mental health.
Socialize With Others
It can be tempting to confine yourself to solitude when you are struggling with depression. Unfortunately, this can simply exacerbate the negative feelings that you are experiencing. Reaching out can go a long way toward providing you with support during your more difficult stages. Experiencing depression can certainly make socializing feel exhausting, but there are many benefits to engaging in social activities when you are struggling with depression.
Exercise Regularly
Physical activity helps to produce hormones in the body that are great at lifting the mood and fighting feelings of depression. As previously stated, it is often the tasks that are difficult to do while experiencing depression that will help the most with your struggle. Though improving your health can certainly help with depression, it doesn’t require substantial exercise and exertion to provide ample benefits. If you don’t exercise regularly, it can be particularly beneficial to simply invest some time in walking around the block. Regular exercise provides many mood lifting benefits, as well as provides benefits to physical health.
Don’t Drink
Alcohol is a depressant, plain and simple. Many people turn to substance abuse as an alternative to facing the extreme negative emotions associated with depression. Though they may provide a numbing effect, they are certainly not helping with the symptoms of depression. If you drink, quit drinking altogether will substantially help you to handle the struggles of depression. Substance abuse leads to additional problems, and does not resolve any of your existing ones.
Implement A Routine
Those who struggle with depression often find that their sleeping patterns deteriorate and become unhealthy. It is incredibly common for individuals with depression to stay up late at night and sleep throughout the day. Sticking to a routine can help to prevent you from falling into these habits, which often aid in the struggle with depression. In addition, a regular routine will help to ensure that you eat regularly and obtain the nutrition that you need to stay healthy and undertake the fight with your mental health issues.
Seek Help For Your Mental Health
It is important to seek help when handling extreme mental health issues. Regularly visiting a therapist can go a long way toward providing you with the tools and mental strategies that you need to find happiness while living with mental health issues. Whenever you find that depression is overtaking you again and severely impacting your life, you should reach out and find the appropriate help.
Spend Some Time Outside
Sunlight provides many positive benefits to your health. It has been shown to boost levels of serotonin, which can substantially improve the mood and feelings of well-being. Spending time outside when you are feeling depressed can provide significant emotional and physical benefits. This can be implemented in combination with exercising, if you choose to spend time walking around your neighborhood.
Practice Meditation
Meditation has been shown to provide a multitude of mental health benefits. When you incorporate meditation into your regular routine, you can often manage stress more effectively and ensure a more positive mood. In addition, meditative practices help to provide you with more mental strategies. This can help you to focus on gratitude and positive feelings in order to minimize your negative emotions. Regular meditation can go a long way toward aiding you in your struggle with mental health problems.
In Summary
The key is not to give up and to seek help from the professionals. You are not alone when it comes to your mental health challenges. There are many support groups in your area where you can get assistance and where you can meet others who can relate to your circumstances. Your situation is not hopeless and by making the right decisions, you will eventually be able to get your life back on track.
BIOGRAPHY
Stan is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear” which covers a variety of techniques that can drastically improve your mental health. For more information, please visit Stan’s website at http://www.managingfear.com
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