Hi, so the sun has set, the news is constant, and the anxiety is spiralling. A lot of you may not have felt ongoing anxiety like this before, it is really very draining and takes a lot out of you.
You might not even recognise it as anxiety, your mind might be framing it as irritation, snapping at others, or desire to control the tiniest bits of every aspect of your life to feel less powerless.
You might find you've become a bit obsessive with news stories, or you're picking fights with people (in person, or on social media), because it feels safer to be angry than it is to be scared.
You might say harsh things you regret , but don't worry too much, you can repair most ruptures with honesty amd vulnerability - I am sorry I snapped, I'm afraid.
You might find yourseld ruminating, this is a tricky part of anxiety that poses as helpful. Your brain tackles a problem, and it works it from every single angle, obsessively and endlessly and prevents you from sleeping.
Sometimes, writing down a list of those thoughts, and fears, and the solutions you may have come up with down on a piece of paper can help. There brain, I've written these important thoughts down, we can rest now.
Sometimes your anxiety feels so intense it might feel like your chest is going to explode, that you need to do something, anything to make it stop. It is awful feeling that way, and I am sorry of you are there now, or have been, or will be.
Our bodies can only handle so much adrenaline from panic, you'll feel like it is never going to end, but it will peak, and eventually begin to lessen. If you're having thoughts of harming yourself, please reach out to others.
I know, we make jokes, and that's part of how we cope, but the worls is forever changed, whatever happens, or continues to happen, and that's pretty overwhelming. So try to be kind to yourself.
What you are thinking and feeling doesn't make you weak, or broken, or sick - it makes you human. A human having a human response to a very real crisis. Try to find comfort and distraction in things you enjoy. It doesnt have to be active, passively losing yourself in tv is ok.
And please, please, remember my pinned tweet has a variety of national and state based helplines if you are at risk. And while it isnt necessarily a consolation, know you're not alone with these Big Feelings and not knowing what to do with them.
Anxiety, and it's bunkmate depression like to tell us we should isolate because we are crazy, but connection is the key to helping mitigate some of these feelings. Socially distance in person, but stay connected to your community, family and friends.
The worst parts will pass, no feeling is permanent, but in a situation like this, they will rise again. So it is really important that you try to fill your bucket when you can, even if it feels like its springing leaks all over. Connect with what makes you feel you.
It could be family, the group chat, humour, cooking, gardening, gaming, bingeing a TV show, the pocketfam - find ways to soothe yourself whenever you can. Physical health is important, but so is doing your best to fuel your brain as well as your body.
You matter, you are loved, and these human responses you're having to this crisis do not mean you're weak, unprepared, or undeserving of help. Be as kind to yourself, and to others as you can manage.
