Dealing With Anxiety, One List at a Time

Feeling anxious or thrown off by the change in your schedule after you lose a loved one is normal.

There are trigger memories that will make you cry even after you thought you had it all under control. It’s the French Cruller, the car they always drove, or the smell of their perfume. Any of these things can send you down a whirlwind of emotions, so having something tangible to do is one way to lessen any anxiety.

Lists are one way to anchor yourself when everything around you is spinning out of control.

1. Have a notebook designated to a running list of what gives you anxiety.

2. Any time you feel anxious or “off” try to  think of things that make you feel this way. It could be as simple as, “my closet is a mess” or as complex as, “I miss them so much.”

3. Try to see if there’s anything on that list that you can change with an action. Will taking an afternoon to clean out your closet help you feel better? Maybe

 

I know some things are harder to get a hold of simply by cleaning out a closet, but in that long list of things that give you anxiety even checking off one thing at a time could help.

And, if your anxiety is too overwhelming, remember to ask your parents or an adult for help.

How do you deal with anxiety? Do you have any tips? 

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