Why do I worry so much? 3 anxiety tips that saved me

Worrying is a part of life that’s just not fun. Not only is it bad for our mental health, but it can also affect our physical health. Before we know it, our mind can go in circles and tell us lies. We can start to believe that the worst case scenario is bound to happen.

After being diagnosed with Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID), I was crippled by anxiety and worry for years. I was always in fear that my life could come crashing down at any moment.

I felt like my joy had been stolen from me, and it was a journey to take my life back and improve my state of mind.

Everyone worries sometimes. It’s a part of the human condition. Anxiety still creeps in my mind from time to time, but luckily I have found some helpful ways to ease the pain.

Worrying is easy to do, so it can be hard to stop the cycle

Worry can take on a mind of its own. The second a situation arises, it can be so easy to tell yourself stories and overthink the possibilities of what could go wrong.

This cycle can be unbearable and difficult to break. Easing anxiety and worry is a big task, and it won’t go away overnight. But, if you focus and utilize your mental strength, you can gradually reach a place where your mind is no longer a war zone.

Shift your mindset

I saw this quote one time, “Life is too long to wait and too short to worry.” I love this because I do believe that it’s important to get out there and seize the day. Go take risks and strive for the life you want!

The issue is that taking risks can bring a lot of worry. Whether it’s moving to a new city, interviewing for a new job, starting a romantic relationship, or any new endeavor, there are going to be some things that might freak you out or give you anxiety.

But, life is too short.

I like to ask myself: “What do I have to lose?”

Obviously, if I have a lot to lose, maybe the decision I’m making isn’t wise. But, if I don’t have much to lose, then I’ll go for it!

I believe that worry and self-talk go hand and hand. We have to change the way that we speak to ourselves and the narrative we create about ourselves. If we trust that we are capable to deal with what life brings, we can find more peace in the chaos.

Take supplements – I suggest Ashwaghanda

I had heard that Ashwagandha helps with anxiety, and I knew that I wanted to try a supplement and see if it worked. A lot of people on TikTok had been talking about it.

A study from 2019 suggests that it does help lower cortisol, which is a stress hormone. It also helps your body cope because it is an adaptogen.

Personally, I think it really works. It may not work on all people, so you would have to try it out and see what you think. I am really big on supplements anyways, so it isn’t hard to put it into my routine.

If I am having long spells without anxiety, I usually stop taking it for a while, since I am trying to target my anxiety when I take it.

It’s super easy to order on Amazon, try it and tell me what you think!

Recognize your strength

When new, unexpected obstacles appear in life, it is easy to panic. When your mind starts racing, it’s hard to stop it. All of these horrible possibilities can create a dark cloud over your head, and you might feel like you aren’t strong enough to deal with what’s next.

But, the truth is that you are an extremely strong person and you have overcome so many things in your life already.

A good exercise is to think about one or two things that have happened in your life that were extremely difficult. Picture how you navigated those things. Think about how you are still here today, despite what happened to you. You overcame that thing, and no one can take that away from you.

I don’t want to be cliché and say “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” but it’s true. You conquered, and you came out the other side with more strength and hopefully some coping skills.

So, when you think about whatever is coming next, remind yourself that you survived, and you can survive again. It might not be easy, enjoyable, or fun, but you know that you have the strength to put your all into it.

Remember not to discount your own feelings!

I used to tell myself that I was so weak and overly emotional. I thought that I wasn’t dealing with my disease correctly because I was depressed and anxious. I didn’t want to appear to others that I was dramatic or complaining.

But, I realized that it is okay to feel all of the emotions when it comes to something like chronic illness. Whatever you’re struggling with, don’t diminish yourself and discount your feelings. You need to let those feelings be felt. If you don’t, they might all bottle up and explode one day.

Life can be hard sometimes. It’s okay to admit it. Luckily, there are ways to help ease worry and anxiety. Life will always bring things for you to worry about, you can count on that. But as you learn and grow, you will be a equipped for whatever comes your way.

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