Anxiety and panic attacks are fairly common, especially with the global pandemic going on. An estimated 284 million people were diagnosed with anxiety disorder globally, and the number keeps climbing each year. 

People start wondering if they can live a normal life with anxiety. It can be challenging dealing with feelings of dread, a tightness always stuck in your throat, constant anxiousness, fear, panic attacks, butterflies swarming in your stomach, and your head filled with negativity. Not to mention the physicalsymptoms and the tremendous toll it takes on the body- both physically and mentally. Trying to better yourself while dealing with so much isn’t an easy task. 

Around 40 million Americans struggle with some form of anxiety. These numbers may seem unreasonably high, but low to moderate anxiety symptoms are treatable and may very well improve your life. The key is to have a positive perspective and knowing how to use it as an advantage.

What Can You Do? 

The first step to leading a healthier life is understanding your anxiety. 1. Anxiety shows that you care

When you prioritize and acknowledge that an event holds high merit in your life, your anxiety will likely bother you the most. Anxiety is an expression of your feelings and shows how much you care. You worry because you want things to go perfectly and not because you are going crazy. 2. Anxiety makes you focus 

For several years, people have associated anxiety with the important things they fear in life. It may be an exam, work-related, or personal goal. The more important the event, the more we try to distract ourselves, hide behind excuses, and give in to our fears. However, the anxiety builds up constantly, reminding ourselves that we cannot ignore it. Anxiety forces us to focus on that problem and face it head-on. In a way, anxiety can be our coach, alarm clock, or a pestering friend that never lets us give up. 3. Anxiety is the fuel for optimal performance

Stress and anxiety form a part of our best efforts. They are partly responsible for our focus and drive to excel and the energy to take action. Anxiety, when mixed with goals and determination, can create momentum in our work and channel all our negativity and anxious energy into productivity. This, in turn, generates a positive flow within our bodies, changing our mental state. 

I Don’t Let My Anxiety Stop Me- Setting Goals, Moving Forward

A few months before the pandemic began, my anxiety was at an all-time high. I went to the doctor’s office and was diagnosed with panic disorder. 

It wasn’t particularly surprising, considering I was struggling with a lot of personal issues. I was fresh out of a complicated and unconventional seven-year relationship. I began distancing myself from everyone in my life and stopped participating in social activities. The after-effects started to take place, and I felt incredible loneliness that had my mind spiraling. It felt like I woke up every morning and had to face an impending feeling of doom. 

This went on for a while, and then the miserable pandemic forced everyone into a seemingly endless lockdown. I couldn’t say that being under ‘house arrest’ was a good thing, but not having to push myself to work or trying to put up an act had me feeling a bit relieved. The extra personal time that came with the coronavirus gave me the opportunity to reset myself. 

The anxiety was still there, and I still had my moments of unnecessary panic. However, I taught myself to calm down, start taking deep breaths and relax. I wasn’t exactly ‘cured’ of the anxiousness I felt, but I didn’t want to wallow in a hole either.

I decided to try different hobbies to pass the time and to be productive. Gardening seemed to be a good option- spending time outside, breathing fresh air, and occupying myself with something healthy. I felt like the co-creator of the universe when I saw baby leaves sprouting out from the seeds I sowed earlier in the week. 

I finally felt an immense sense of accomplishment. My mind was telling me that ‘I could do anything I wanted to’ if I kept my focus and set some goals for myself. I didn’t want to stop trying new things that would help me- in my life, career, or my mind and body. I realized that my anxiety and panic disorder did not define me, and neither would they hold me back. 

I was browsing the internet when I came across the opportunity to participate in a couple of online courses. I was familiar with digital marketing and gained more experience in that field. However, I also tried something new and experienced being a scrum master. In fact, I made a major career switch to scrum, leaving my HR position.

I learned to challenge myself constantly. I kept setting smaller, achievable goals to accomplish that still had me putting in all my effort, time, and energy. I gave myself ‘hard tasks’ to focus and improve while at the same time providing a channel for my anxiety and panic to work productively, in my favor. It’s almost as if I were in the military and was undergoing a form of training. I am my own drill sergeant, pushing only for the best. This worked for me. I no longer do anything or procrastinate. I am active and am always moving forward. 

When it comes to my personal life, I feel like I could work to do better. I feel some guilt for not properly following self-care routines. I write in the morning and at night in my gratitude journals that help me analyze myself and my life and leave me feeling thankful for how far I have come. They also work like a magic wand to outline my next goals. Currently, my new target is trying to get my slightly overboard spending habits under wraps. This seems to be a bit more difficult than I had anticipated. It will take more awareness and effort to get it done. Though, I am sure I’ll be able to. I still live with my helicopter parents, but I own my own apartment. I feel like I may be avoiding responsibility. There’s also the fact that I can’t cook either. I’ll have to face the music soon.

My panic disorder may have been a blessing in disguise. It made me love my own self more and give love back to others. I don’t want to ever depend on someone to love me, although some may say this is a basic need for survival. I haven’t decided on that yet.