Anxiety, a word that I’ve grown intimate with since middle school. Panic, it’s partner in crime, they both go hand in hand in completing their dominance. Attack, their method of control, overused year after year and when I’m most vulnerable. This has been the story of my life for the past few years now, it was especially bad at the beginning of high school. I had difficulties with the little things like speaking on the phone and ordering food. I would get immensely embarrassed over little things like tripping and I remember I would actually hold in my coughs to not attract attention.

It’s something I never thought I could get over or decrease whatsoever, I was afraid it had transformed me into someone different that I would never be able to change back from. Things worked my way though, through my comedy speeches and some hard work and experimentation, I’m a lot better now. That’s why I’m writing this today, in hopes of my advice and experience helping you out, regardless of whether you have anxiety or not. I also hope to provide some advice that will be split into parts and that’s in a new direction than most guides. On with the show!

Take your Time

I cannot stress the importance of this enough. Regardless of whether it’s to conquer your anxiety or not, improving yourself takes time in general. Maybe you want to be better at a particular skill or hope you stop a distinct habit? It takes time and patience and it won’t be happening in a short amount of time. I believe in you and I’m sure you can do it!

Random Acts of Kindness

As I previously discussed on my blog, I was going through a lot of depression and anxiety during the tenth grade. Other than me putting myself out there and running during the Student Council Elections, I made, what I still like to call, an experiment. I saw a picture of a paper that said: “hi, I find you attractive” on 9gag. I don’t know why or how I decided to do it myself and pass it around school but I am so grateful I did it.

Over the course of the day I was passing the papers around, not only did I make other people’s days, it made me twice as happy whenever I saw a smiling face. I remember students from my school were posting it all over their Instagram and Facebook accounts. It’s a feeling I will remember for an extremely long time because of how it changed my outlook on life, from that day on I swore to live by being kind, I even created a Random Acts of Kindness Committee in Student Council upon my election. I now realize that a huge part of battling my anxiety was through performing RAKs. Studies have actually proven that being kind benefits you and can decrease anxiety. So what I’m trying to say is that it’s absolutely wonderful being kind unconditionally and more of us should do it!

Dance

Yes, the last bit of this part of the guide is to dance! If you’re ever feeling a little more anxious than you can handle or just too irritated at something going on in your life, turn your favorite song on and dance! Studies have also proven that dancing gives you a happiness boost and it really does work. It’s almost like shaking off all your worries and although it sounds a little silly, I greatly recommend it.

That’s it for this part of the guide, stay tuned for the rest.