The Cruel Monster that hides within: Anxiety & Depression

Imagine preparing for a meeting with your company’s top executives and your hands become clammy, heart pounding, and knees shaking as fierce as leaves in autumn.

You might have a senior high school project that you have rehearsed the speech over a dozen times, and an hour before, you become physically ill with a fever, or stomach ache.

Have you ever become consumed with your thoughts and completely cancel a presentation or fail to meet a required deadline?

The idea of public speaking and fear of social performance/interactions alone makes your mind and body jolt.

These metaphysical changes have been experienced by most people but often disregarded or ignored.

I have canceled meetings, walked out in the middle of presentations and completely forgotten notes I’ve prepared for upcoming lessons.

Anxiety and self-defeating thoughts cause issues in school and work performance, relationships and social interactions.

Here are some steps to take to combat depression, anxiety and self-destructive habits:

Meditation

Meditation is the act of engaging in thought and reflection to receive deeper meaning and allows one to go within the core of your existence.

Regardless of spiritual or religious beliefs and practices, any person can engage in thoughtful reflections. It has personally been helpful when I experience panic attacks, over-thinking, impulsive and compulsive behaviors where I make quick decisions that I regret later.

At times, I can be very fidgety and tend to move around a lot, and if you’re anything like this and new to meditation I suggest starting with 10-minute increments. For those who panic by pacing or rocking in place, chronic nail biting I recommend researching breath of fire techniques, which is a form of light breathing yoga.

Exercise/Yoga

No, you don’t have to be a gym rat or acrobat gymnast to get your dose of a sufficient work-out.

I know first-hand how depression and anxiety tend to make you lazy, uninspired with little to no motivation to get out of bed, but if you turn off your favorite television show or YouTube channel and muster up the willpower, you will notice improvements in your mood.

A minimum of 20 minutes, a yoga mat and a small pint of motivation works like a charm. You don’t even need to over-exert your body—start with modest gains and examine how you feel after at least two consistent weeks.

Journaling/Artistic expression

Anxiety and depression makes one go over the worst memories of the past and worry about the outcome of a future that hasn’t happened.

Journaling, painting and poetry has been my armor when tackling these self-defeating thoughts that don’t serve a place while remaining present.

You don’t have to be Picasso or paint the Mona Lisa, but the stroke of a paintbrush on paper, a few sketches is incredibly beneficial. Write a few lines to a poem/song/lyrics and try out your magical hand!

Self-care techniques

• Allowing yourself a minimum of 1-3 hours weekly of personal time or treating yourself

(i.e. going out for your favorite dessert—don’t worry about the calories, see the latest movie, etc.)

• Daily affirmations: positive self-talk is key, and a constant reminder of your daily purpose and long-term goals is a necessary key;
• Keep in contact with 2-5 friends/confidants that influence and bring out your best self. Do not isolate!

This is not an exhaustive list, neither is it a one size-fits all for clinical depression and ongoing anxiety destructive habits; however, without giving these techniques a chance, you will never see how fruitful and progressive you truly are meant to be.

Many people view therapy for those who are labeled “crazy”, but this is farthest from the truth.

Seeking professional help for issues that are beyond your control makes you human, and does not make you weak.

Open up and be willing to let others in—you have nothing to lose, but your highest level of self to gain.

“Self-care:

An art that we master gently with ease,

Which  can cures ill-habits, heart ache and disease.”

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For more information about fighting depression and anxiety, email me at contact@box5401.temp.domains