Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7

"Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths.” - C.H. Spurgeon

I have struggled with anxiety for most of my life, almost as far back as I can remember. It has taken many forms. Sometimes it has been more difficult to make a way through the anxiety, it has seized me and stopped me in my tracks. While other times, it is like a quiet companion that only occasionally makes its voice heard. Yet there it stays. If you are like me, then perhaps you have had to deal with anxiety as well. 

If you do, then I wish I could take you out to coffee, that we could sit and chat. That we could share the burden and stress that comes from an anxious heart. So instead, I write this blog post. To reach out across the internet to share with you! Here I am placing my best tried strategies and ideas, resources and thoughts. I hope that they can help you, that you can remember you are not alone. May God guard your heart and mind in peace. 

STRATEGIES FOR OVERCOMING ANXIETY

“Research shows that perfectionism hampers success. In fact, it’s often the path to depression, anxiety, addiction and life paralysis.” - Brené Brown

If you are struggling with consistent anxiety, my top suggestion is to go find a counselor. Having someone who can help you with understanding your mental health, and then giving you the tools to help you heal and recover. You can find some great resources at the American Counseling Assocation website for finding certified counselors or therapists in your area. Some insurance companies can even cover counseling, just give your insurance company a call. 

Here are some other strategies that have been helpful for me:

• Meditation. Even stopping for 5-10 minutes a day to focus on my breath, to pray, to give myself time to find pause.
• Journaling. Morning pages (3 pages of free hand thought right when you wake up) has been so good for me! I’ve been doing it fairly consistently for years.
• Hobbies. Finding a good hobby can be life changing. I love ones that allow me to work with my hands. Things like knitting, crochet, piano, painting, give you creativity and an outlet for something fun. 
• Working Out. I am sad to say that it is true. Working out helps your mindset, helps your body and can improve your emotional regulation. 
• Getting outside. Set aside the technology, go outside, enjoy the sunshine. It can also help to garden or take long walks. Try taking a picnic, going to a zoo, or exploring a new part of your city. 
• Praying. Take the words of Philippians 4:6-7 to heart. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

HAVING GRACE WITH YOURSELF

“Some days, doing ‘the best we can’ may still fall short of what we would like to be able to do, but life isn’t perfect — on any front — and doing what we can with what we have is the most we should expect of ourselves or anyone else.” - Mister Rogers

The truth is that on days where I follow my own advice and do all the strategies and habits that help me, I really do better! I feel more at peace, I am better able to cope when things get difficult. But I am just not able to do all of the things, all of the time. So, in those moments, there must be grace.

“But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” - 2 Corinthians 12:9

On the days when we cannot do enough, be enough, or keep up, we must rely on grace. Thankfully, it is a resource that Christ hands out abundantly, to all, without judgement. So, remind yourself of that often! There is grace for when we are weak. For the grace of Christ will continuously be sufficient for all of us. 

RESOURCES

“Remember, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.” - Dale Carnegie

These are just a few of the many resources I have found to be helpful in my mental health journey. Try the ones that sound most interesting to you. 

• Dwell App: Listen to God’s word with soothing background music, choose specific passages or choose one of the guided passages. 
• Essential Oils: I love having some good essential oils on hand! For diffusing, rolling on, and just generally making things smell good.
• Calm App: A great resource for meditations, sleep stories, and other helpful tools for mindset word. 
• Lavender Bath Salts: One of our favorite products! You can add it to your bath or to a little foot soak for soothing smells and a great add-on to your self-care routine. 
• Just Breathe Hoodie: I love this hoodie and enjoy wearing it often. It has a sweet reminder on the sleeve and feels like a warm hug.

ONE DAY AT A TIME

“Success is not final; failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.” - Winston Churchill

I have come to understand that my anxiety may always be with me. There is no magic wand I can wave, no perfect system that will solve all the problems. However, I have learned through experience that there are actions and steps that can help me cope with the anxiety. There are things that decrease the anxiety and increase the peace that I feel. Faith being one of those things that help me the most. My hope is that in reading this blog, you have felt less alone in your anxiety, that you have found a few tips that might help you. May each day bring less anxiety and more peace for you! 

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

• Check in…. How is anxiety impacting your life right now?
• Are there specific things that can trigger your anxiety?
• What coping mechanisms help you the most?
• Is there one thing from this blog that you want to take with you?
• Set aside some time this week to do something that is very life-giving for you. 

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” - John 14:27

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” - 2 Timothy 1:7