How to Deal With the Big Anxieties

Occasionally, there are things in life that are big and scary. They make us anxious and yet there's often not much we can do to make it any better. In this blog post, I'm going to be exploring ways of managing that anxiety, and things we can do to help alleviate it.

1. Identify what is making you anxious or stressed.
   This can be quite tricky at times, as it's not always clear what's causing you to feel this way. Try talking it through with a close friend, or writing your thoughts down so that you can visualise them. Identifying what is making you feel worse is the first step toward feeling better.

2. Inform yourself.
   Fear is often born in the absence of knowledge, and by educating yourself on this issue, you can have a better understanding of the facts. Make sure that you get your information from reputable sources, and check to see that they've cited any studies mentioned. This won't work for everyone, and if you find this isn't helping, please stop! Your mental health should always be your top priority.

3. Limit your media intake.
   News and social media can be quite overwhelming at times, so limiting how much time you spend around it to just the essentials will make a huge difference. Also remember that on social media, you can unfollow people who's content is making you feel worse.

4. Focus on the positive.
   When big, scary things happen around the world, it can be difficult to find the happy news. Websites and companies like The Happy Broadcast, Information is Beautiful, The Happy Newspaper and more are great ways to help you feel better about the world.

5. Donate your time or money to the cause.
   When a problem is so big that it feels like we can't make a difference, it can make us feel hopeless. When you start to feel like that, try focusing less on what you can't do and more on what you can do! Donating a small amount of your time or money to the cause can help you feel like you're making a difference. Not everyone has time or money to spare, but even signing a petition or emailing your local politician can have an impact.

6. Remember that it's not your fault.
   We can often feel like we are the ones to blame, but that's usually not the case. Do what you can to improve the situation, but remember that it is not your sole responsibility to fix.

7. Talk about it.
   By far, the best thing to do when you're feeling stressed or anxious about something is to talk about it. If you have a therapist or counsellor then that's perfect, but if not, talking to your friends and family members about your concerns can make a huge difference. Just remember to be there for them in turn!

By following just a few of these steps, you're bound to start feeling better. Remember that these things take time, so don't worry if you don't feel better straight away, you will in time.