Mental health and Anxiety. By: Chloe Aiken

Wednesday, July 17th, 2019

I know I’ve been meaning to talk about mental health- including anxiety, depression, bipolar, ADHD, and other labels as such. Nowadays, just about everyone has a type of anxiety. Not necessarily the same kind of anxiety, or the same kind of intensity. Everyone has their own personal preferences to coping, or dealing with an issue. In a way this brings me peace in knowing I am not alone, at all, when it comes to managing my everyday anxiety.

Not being able to do simple tasks because of an internal mental issue is frustrating and irritating, but sometimes removing yourself from the problem- and putting yourself in a better place- is a great first step in getting past the anxiety, or slump of depression. Environment, I have learned over the past couple years, is extremely important in the sake of your overall well-being, but as I’ve stated before, specifically I am relating environmental surroundings to mental health. Regardless of if I have the actual OCD disorder, or not, I have learned keeping your areas clean and neat lead to personal ease. 

Secondly, your ability be mindful, aware, and conscious are key concepts, as well, in overcoming rough struggles with anxiety and depression. I have to remember weekly, if not daily, to not get so caught up in my own head, and own little world. “Wake up. Fight those that control.”, is on the back of one of Brennen’s hoodies’. Be mindful; be mindful of what your goals are, be mindful of the ‘time’. Be careful with the distractions and illusions that we, the world, have surrounded ourselves with- one way or another. Focus on the questions you should be asking yourself in order to get to a better spot in life. I guess another way of saying this is, “Change your perspective from time to time.”

Thirdly, to be still, and listen; listening is highly applicable to calming your inner anxiousness. To be still was the first part, in which you should start by stopping- and then after paying some attention to your surroundings, you listen. Listen to those who has achieved creditable success, listen to the wisdom in the world. Importantly, too, remember to listen to your inner voice, and often seek introspection, or the subconscious, when focusing on moving past the anxiety. 

But lastly, you have to do; yes, do. You have to choose to get yourself into a better spot. It really comes down to the literal actions and movements. You have to set boundaries, goals, and routines for yourself in order to achieve success to getting to where you want to be, mentally, emotionally, financially, physically, and even career wise, too. It is what you always hear, to “Take the first step.”, to “Take the leap of faith.”, and that “Everyone starts somewhere.” While yes these are cliché truths, I feel it is often overlooked. To be still and observe, listen, and pay attention, and then most importantly to just do- these are all extremely helpful points in helping me with my day to day anxiety. I typed this specific blog with the goal to hopefully help others struggling, and trying to figure out how to manage their anxiety, depression, or any other mental health issue, too.