5 Things I've Learnt from Five Years Living with Anxiety

As a diagnosed anxiety veteran, here are five things I wish I’d known when I first began suffering from the disorder:

It’s not all in your head, it’s in your body too

Anxiety’s a two-headed beast and it won’t just be your mind that’s affected by it. Keep track of your physical symptoms and harness them to reduce your psychological ones. Getting your breathing and heart rate under control is a good way to tell your brain you’re not in immediate danger, which can lead to a reduction in feelings of panic and intense worry. If you’re looking for where to start, I’ve found the 3-7-8 method to be especially helpful.

There’s a reason people who exercise seem happier

And your doctor isn’t always trying to fob you off when they suggest a walk to help with your anxiety. Countless studies have shown the profound positive effect exercise has on anxiety symptoms, both physical and mental. Find a form of movement you enjoy (moderate-intensity works best) and try to incorporate it into your every-day life.

Sleep is more important than you know

Sleep has been shown to reduce the severity of symptoms by up to 20% for a whole host of mental disorders, including anxiety, depression, BPD and schizophrenia. If you’re 16-25 years old you’re recommended 8-10 hours a night to be in optimal mental and physical shape. Read Matthew Walker’s Why We Sleep as a pre-sleep pastime if you’re still not convinced.

Alcohol is making you anxious

If you can, give up alcohol. If you can’t, talk to someone about it. The effects of this particular poison last for far longer than the initial day of crippling hangxiety would lead you to believe, and it’s not just drugs that cause terrible come downs. Alcohol affects the neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA in the brain, causing huge spikes in these over the following days and leading to feelings of anxiety, paranoia, and depression.

If in doubt, wash your hair

Don’t ask me why, it just works.