How To Deal With Anxiety

Hi everybody:

I am now energized and motivated to keep up with my blog! There is so much I want to say but for now I'll take it slow.

I have had a lot of people in my life recently dealing with anxiety and panic attacks. It runs in my family as well, so I've experienced it, although not very many times (the attacks that is). Because I am in university, anxiety is something I have to deal with on a regular if not daily basis.

Here are some of the things that help me destress whenever I feel anxious.

1) Having taken neuroscience I know that the main hormone involved in stress is called cortisol. I dont want to make this a science class, but long story short, when you are stressed your body releases cortisol that goes into your brain and puts your body into the "fight or flight" response. When the body goes into this state it shuts off the front part of your brain (which is involved in rational decisions, executive functions, etc). Pretty much your "intelligence". If it shuts off, you are waaay more likely to make irrational decisions and the neurons in the front part of your brain if they are shut off for long enough, will start to die. MY POINT IS, when I'm stressed, I think of how i'm killing my neurons and those can't come back. This puts me in the "mental" state of not being stressed.

2) After I think about that, I do deep-breathing exercises. The great thing about this, is that no one has to know you are doing it (even if you are in class or something). I fixed my eyes on something and slowly deep breathe. I usually count 7 missisipis in and 7 out for each breath, and I stop when I realize my breathing flows naturally.

3) At this point, I am in a better place. Breathing sends oxygen to my brain, which makes the brain calm down. But if I can, I listen to relaxing music. I have a channel on youtube that I absolutely LOVE! it's kmusiclife and anything by him is amazing! he combines relaxing music with nature sounds.

4) If I am home, I make myself some herbal tea (caffeine is an absolute no no!). I concentrate on the drinking and the smell of the tea.

5) If that doesn't work, journalling is a good option for me as well.

6) if it's during the day and nice out, go for a walk while doing deep breathing exercises

Now, I AM in university, so I know that sometimes while I'm trying to destress myself, I get more stressed thinking about the things I should be doing as opposed to destressing myself. What I have to say about that is: forget it! You cannot and will not be able to do anything unless you are in a mental state where you can concentrate. If you are worried about a test/exam/assignment that is due soon, talk to your teacher/professor and explain that you;ve been dealing with anxiety lately. They usually are very understanding as they are (believe it or not) humans as well. If this is something that is interfering extremely with your day to day activities, I would recommend going and seeing a doctor/counsellor/social worker/psychologist.

Usually, schools and universities have programs or alternatives for those who are dealing with severe stress and can make arrangements for you.

Remember, there are VERY few things more important than your well-being! So never push it off and think you will deal with it later! Been there, done that. Not good.


Take care, remember you are beautiful, and that whatever you are dealing with will pass!! :)


Love,

Girl

In a year a lot changes...

So I have been recently looking back on my life in the past few years (even if I am still young :P) But I realized that in one year I have really changed. A year ago, I was very depressed, now I enjoy life. I enjoy the little things that make me happy. I have a wonderful family and a wonderful boyfriend to help me if something gets to me because even if I am a lot happier, depression, an eating disorder and anxiety are daily battles. And before I would let them control myself, but now I control them. And the biggest self-help has been me being able to ask for help when I need it.

You know what? It's ok to say: "Actually, I cant take on this or that. Or I really need to just relax for a day". Self-care is the best thing! If you are thinking: "Yeah, but you dont have the pressure to get good marks for school, or get into that great university you want to, or whatever it is"....actually, I do, I have to keep good marks to keep my scholarship for university. But you know what? What good is those grades or that university, if you are not there for it? Who will be honest with you if you are not honest with yourself first? Or say you want to help someone who is in a similar situation as you, how can you help someone if you are not healthy yourself?

Its a great self-analysis, which is why I can honestly say that I think I am fit to help. I have never been happier and healthier in my life. In fact, I can prove it! I went to my eating disorder doctor and he said next visit is my last visit! woohoo for me! I dont have to go there on a regular basis anymore! It feels great!! Like I'm finally finding the missing puzzle pieces of my life!!

If any of you feel like your life is about to crumble down from underneath you, please dont hesitate in contacting me, I would love to try and help you, or even if you just want to vent.

I am here for you.

You are not alone!

Take care.

You guys are all beautiful!!

Songs that helped me :)

Hi guys!

Thank you so much for reading this. Honestly...Everyday I check the stats and it's growing :) Today there were most from the States and from the UK, and i'm not even from those places!

So, as promised I said I was going to share songs that helped me through some of my most difficult times. I am a girl, so keep in  mind that. Although, for most of them that doesnt matter. I will post the song, and a brief little thought on them. If i see that I have too many (because this was a long period of depression for me) I will make a part 2 of this post :)

1. Life is beautiful - Vega4
Honestly, this is an AMAZING song that will lift your spirits up instantly! I love it sooooo much! I first saw it on MTV's "If you really knew me" shows. And they played this for the credits, and I was searching for this song for a couple of days until I found it! It just really makes me smile no matter what! And i HIGHLY recommend you go listen to it right now! :)

2. Imagine - John Lennon
Obviously this one there is no much explaining. It is just a purely uplifting song. John's voice is just what you need to hear when you are having that terrible day. This one is my absolute favourite song if I just had to pick one. By far.

3. Beside You - Marianas Trench
Ok, this song is very special to me. I was very close to my lowest point during these four years and one of the only people I would ever talk to was having a really tough problem. And I dedicated this song to her. She was 8 hours away. And she thanked me from the bottom of her heart and returned the meaning of the song to me. It reminds me of those times. And it makes me a little nostalgic, but nonetheless happy :)

4. Somewhere Over the Rainbow/ What a wonderful World - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
This song I really dont remember when I first heard it. But I loved it from the beginning. And at the time I was just learning how to play the guitar. And it just combined two things that I love, hope&happiness and singing&guitar. It makes me hopeful of the future. Puts a smile on my face!

5. Brand New Day - Joshua Radin
Ok, so I heard this song first at the very end of an old episode of House (the show). I love HOUSE. It was a very emotional episode and it showed how sometimes after a whole tragic period in your life, you can actually put it away, and start a a "brand new day". Because you know you will be ok. It is honestly a beautiful song! If you like acoustic things, you will absolutely love this! I cannot stress enough that you have to go listen to it!

BONUS SONGS:

Ok, so those probably are at the top of my list. And as i mentioned before, yes there are a ton more! I just want to spread them out throughout posts.

But this little part is special. These songs I dedicate to each and every one of you out there who may be reading this. I really express myself better through dedicating songs sometimes....Enjoy <3

Let me take you there - Plain White T's
Just dont read this and do listen to it. I dedicate this to you personally.

Count on Me - Bruno Mars
Same thing. PLEASE GO LISTEN TO IT. It explains how I feel about you. Each. And. Every. One. Of. You. <3

Please after listening to the songs (all, some or none) and you want to contact me, please do. At tweetie_girl20@yahoo.com

I check my email super constantly! So I will get it soon.

Know that it is never too late to get out of this and to ask for help <3

I love you peeps!

Girl

Helping People

Today I just want to share what helping people means to me. I recently (about 3 days ago) created a yahoo account for the sole purpose of being able to answer yahoo answers. I have been diagnosed with depression, eating disorder and panick attacks. But thanks to God, I am doing much better now :) I learned A LOT over the past year, not only about myself but also about those people who called themselves "friends". The people whom I thought were going to be there for me werent and the ones who i thought wouldnt were. This is not to say that I had a lot of people caring, i didnt. In fact it was only one person outside of my family who lives between 6-8 hours who helped me through it all. I talk about her in another post, but I was pretty mad back then, so disregard that comment. She was great and without her help, I dont know if I would have been able to get out of this. This is why I created a yahoo answers account. I solely wanted to help people going through things that I went. Because it sucks. You NEED someone to be there for you.

You need someone who understands. Otherwise, they will try their best to help you, but it really doesnt help that much. This is not to say that I never got mad at this person who helped me. I did every so often, because I just believed she had better stuff to do with her time. But she stuck through it all (mostly). And i am very grateful for that. So I want to give other teenage girls the same opportunity. Many other girls feel like they dont have anyone who understands, and even though online, I feel like I can help. If this is how you feel, and you feel you have no one to talk to, email me, message me, contact me. My yahoo email is tweetie_girl20@yahoo.com I check it many times throughout the day. Chances are I'll check it at the most within an hour of you sending something.

Please take care!

And for all of you girls out there who feel depressed, SMILE! :) Even if you are alone right now. You are beautiful! Know that it will all pass and get better soon!

Love,

Girl :)