How I Cope With Anxiety

I am the sort of overachieving overthinker that unfortunately means that I have a tendency for anxiety, especially around exam season. In order to actually carry on through life without panicking or crying too much, I've developed a few ways to distract myself from the anxiety.

• Positive affirmations. Essentially saying loudly that everything will be okay (which, by the way, it will) and you will believe it and calm down. This is my newest and preferred strategy.
• Happy music. Sometimes a pounding beat can make it worse, but some good music can make you feel so much better, especially if you can dance to it!
• Go for a walk
• Frothy television, even if it's just something shitty to play in the background. Would recommend Gilmore Girls, the Kardashians or Are You The One (which my friend Francesca introduced me too - v addictive!)
• Taking a shower
• Talk to a good friend about something else. I actually prefer to ring someone than see them face to face while I'm really anxious, but just let them know how you feel.
• Writing - my friend Ana suggested this and I agree so much. Journaling, writing a letter, whatever it is: it can help so much to write about your fears and make them tangible and certain.
• Some people (although not me personally) find herbal remedies useful, even if partly due to the placebo effect.
• If it doesn't seem to be related to one specific thing, and doesn't clear up, I'd definitely advise seeing someone, as counselling/therapy/whatever you want to call it, can really help, and to be honest I think everyone should take advantage of it.