The Anxiety Detox | Lifestyle

Hello, everyone!

This post has been published once already, however the layout and formatting of the paragraphs was horrendous and just wouldn't do for me. Yes, I am a bit of a perfectionist! 

So, more to the point, I am writing this post because I haven't been feeling great recently, and I want to do something about it. I was doing well but my confidence has digressed and my moods are all over the place. Luckily, I've had no panic attacks but I have just been worrying over pointless things. I am going on a weekend break with my boyfriend and some of his family this weekend to Sherwood Forrest, which will do me some good!

This detox plan (if that's the right thing to call it) has been put together by myself to help me through my anxiety in the short-term so I can get back to feeling myself for a little while longer. I thought I would share it on my blog too, because I know I don't really post enough about mental health issues and also I am aware of some people who are suffering at the moment. I hope this helps you, or your friends/family if it applies because it will mean so much if even just one of my posts helps someone cope and get themselves on the road to recovery.

Enough babbling, let's do this!

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1. Take up an activity or hobby

It can be big or small, just give yourself something to focus on. Completing a task when you're at your wort will help you concentrate on something other than the thoughts that are upsetting you. I know, when you're depressed, the thought of doing something makes you feel physically sick and all you want to do is stay in bed, but what good is wallowing going to do?

Have you heard about adult colouring? According to scientists, these new books can take someone down from having a panic attack, to being in a perfectly calm frame of mind. But it doesn't have to be colouring, just something you enjoy and you know will distract you and make you feel better.

2. Talk to people

We all have those moments when we think no one cares. But you're kidding yourself if you actually believe that's the case. Because there is someone out there that will take the time to listen and offer help and support. Pop up, give them a call, ask to meet up for a coffee or something. Just give yourself an opportunity to vent to someone who will listen.

Sometimes, there are things that worry us and that we don't really want to discuss with people who we know, because it will make us feel uncomfortable and uneasy. 7 Cups is a website where you can speak to an online counsellor and get professional advice for free about a range of different issues. 

Elefriends is also an online forum, a little like Facebook, but a lot more friendly. There are loads of people with a variety of mental health issues who post updates and are always ready to talk to you and offer advice based on their own experiences. Personally, I find this very helpful and reassuring so I really do recommend it! 

3. Lose the screens!

Social media can be a wonderful thing, but it can also be so destructive to our mental health and well-being. Many of us have friends who we haven't met or just don't know, rumours can be spread, people get the wrong ideas about things you post and it's just downright frustrating. We rely on it so much nowadays though, when really we can actually live without it. This weekend I am completely without it and will only have my phone to call my family and take a few photos. 

I'm not saying get rid of your social media and electronic items completely, but sometimes some time off can allow is to get back in touch with ourselves and the beauty of the real world. So have a break, remove the friends you don't know, or who's posts just annoy you and make you doubt yourself, swap your evening Facebook scroll for a good book and you will notice a difference in your moods and behaviour.

4. Spend time with friends and loved ones

Even if it's not talking about your feelings, your friends know you best and know how to make you feel better instantly. Arrange a fun activity with your chums, go out for a walk or just sit and watch a good film. Doing something you enjoy with another person will put a smile on your face, and again, they will listen to whatever is worrying you. 

I'm lucky enough to see my boyfriend every other day so I always have someone to listen, and vice versa. Communication is so important when maintaining a friendship and relationship.

My friends will also be back from university soon and we've already arranged to go out for a night and have some drinks and a dance which I cannot wait for. Clubbing? With anxiety? Well, a fun fact for you. Moving about and having fun in a free space with friends whilst drinking releases the same endorphins a child releases when they play. So you begin to care less, and dance more!

5. Eat well and exercise

It is a matter of fact that fatty and sugary foods make us feel gross, self conscious and lethargic. They damage our health, our skin and our insides. Caffeine is the worst for this, as it increases the production of adrenaline in your body, due to the fact that it is a stimulant drug. I am guilty of consuming way too much caffeine through energy drinks and they're slowly becoming addictive. So I'm pretty much always shaky and in that dreaded fight or flight mode. 

However, I have been on a Weight Watchers diet and exercising regularly at the gym and I feel so refreshed and happy about myself afterwards. Yep, that's because those good ole' endorphins are being released again! And again, exercise is something to focus on and a good distraction! So eat well, with of course the odd treat, and exercise for at least sixty minutes a day and you will notice the difference. 

6. Love yourself!

I will put my hands up and admit, like everybody else, I have those days where I shoot myself down and tell myself I'm talentless, I have no future, I'm ugly. All those things. No one should feel like this though. Because everyone has a talent, everyone has a future to work for, everyone is beautiful. In order to get these positive thoughts back and start believing in ourselves, we must first love ourselves. 

This can be done in a variety of ways. A personal favourite would be devising a little mantra. My old primary school teacher used a wonderful one and we all had to say it three times every morning...

'I am happy, I am healthy, I can do it!'

I become a different person when people offer me inspiration, when I look at motivational quotes. Because it is helping me and motivating me to become the person I want to be. A happy girl. And being a happy girl feels so much better than a girl with a hot bod. A pretty girl. A girl with loads of friends. Being a happy girl is an achievement, because it makes me aware of all the things I've accomplished and got over independently and through trusting the right people. 

Love yourself, because it's the best feeling in the world.

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I hope you've enjoyed this post. And please let me know if it helps you. I know some things are easier said then done but always believe in yourself. If I can do this then you most certainly can! 

One last thing. I have recently become an ambassador for a blog that is designed to help young people inspire and motivate themselves to become the happy individual they've always dreamed of being through publishing happy and uplifting content. It's not the drivvely 'lose five pounds in a day' crap, just really honest advice and personal stories (one of which is mine, and you can read that here) that you are bound to love! So go ahead to The Lucky Truth and learn to love yourself for the amazing person you are. 

Take care, stay strong always xo