One of our employees at Natural Breaks wanted to share their story about experiencing anxiety and the tools they have used to help manage their anxiety, over the years. They approached us and felt that this year's #mentalhealthawareness week was the right time to share their experience. Our employee has asked to remain anonymous and we hope you will respect that. 

At the age of 13, I started suffering from anxiety, and often experienced an increased heart rate, trembling and sweating due to this. I was left feeling like this from a range of situations such as social gatherings, public transport and school.

 

At this point, I was unsure of how to deal with my anxiety. Often times, I would not talk to anyone about what I was experiencing and I tried to manage those feelings alone.

 

Over the years, as I got older, I opened up to my family. I spoke to them about the physical symptoms I had experienced alongside my thoughts, my concerns and my stress points. Being able to talk candidly and freely about my experience helped to relieve my stress: it felt like a weight lifted from my shoulders.

 

Within the last few months, I was encouraged by family to seek additional help from a mental health provider. I signed up to Talk Liverpool, via my healthcare centre, and enrolled on their online CBT course – SilverCloud.

 

When I spoke to my workplace, Natural Breaks, about my anxiety they provided me with an abundance of support. They were overwhelmingly considerate and kind: ensuring me that any resources, advice or help I needed, they would either help me to find or support me to attend. Being part of such a welcoming, inclusive environment is all I could ever have asked for and makes a world of difference to both your job and work ethic.

 

I have found talking and channelling my anxiety into something creative really helps. Below, I have added my three top tips that have helped me.

Find your peacetime

For me, I find it super important to take time out for myself and find an activity that will occupy my brain – if only for a short while.

I have always loved reading and it gives me the chance to immerse myself in another world. Focusing on the story in front of me often helps me to reach a level of calm.

So, find something you enjoy. Make sure to take time to indulge in your passions, relax and recover.

Pick the right circle for you

Talking can help massively.

There are so many people out there that care about you and your mental health. Having a group or individual that you can talk to, whether it be in a personal or professional setting, can help us offload and feel less isolated.

As the saying goes, “a problem shared is a problem halved”.

For me, communicating has helped improve my anxiety. I have learnt new coping methods and now, I feel calmer, more hopeful and in control.

Breathe & Count

I have a breathing and counting technique I use if I feel particularly overwhelmed and I need to distract my brain.

I breathe in for 5, counting 1-5 with my fingers as I do this, and then I breathe out for 5, repeating the counting with my fingers again.

I repeat this technique until my breathing has calmed and my mind has stopped racing.

Other times, finding a quiet spot for a moment (when you’re in a busy environment) can help too.

Just remember – those feelings will pass. You are in control.

Helpful Links

Get help | Mental Health Foundation

Self-care for anxiety - Mind

Talk Liverpool - Home Talk Liverpool

Get help with anxiety, fear or panic - NHS (www.nhs.uk)