We all must find ways that allow us to cope with anxiety. There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach when it comes to our mental health or even cystic fibrosis for that matter. We are unique. We all experience our health differently, and we should be treated as individuals. Anxiety often can be crippling on your day. You find yourself asking, “What if?'' and “How come?” and “Why not?” to just about everything. It is too much pressure. We must find the little things that allow us to cope with anxiety on a day-to-day basis.
Trying to break down the day with a coping mechanism relieves the pressure of looking at the day like a big problem that cannot be solved.
I have found that exercise -- particularly running -- and crafting are just some of the ways I can cope with anxiety on my terms. We all make excuses because we want to avoid changes -- good or bad. Change is uncomfortable, but sometimes it is necessary. Changing the way I look at my days and my habits was the first step I had to take to cope with anxiety. Exercise is not achievable for everyone, but a little exercise here and there is a really great first step to aid your mental health. Whether it be every day, every other day, or even once a week, fresh air is a great way to clear your head. But sometimes with CF, exercise is not an option, and when that's the case, crafts are a great way to clear your head too.
Crafts may not seem like something fun to do as a young adult, but it really gets you into a different mindset, similar to exercise. You may say, “Crafts are stupid. They won't help me,” which was a similar thought process I had until I actually tried it. The more I crafted, the more I found it to be a great distraction.
Small acts that can get you out of your head and away from anxious thoughts are great little ways to cope with anxiety on a small scale.
One thing about anxiety is the fear of “the great unknown” and not being able to control what we don't know. So, things that we do know and are able to control help us the most. I'm not the best runner or even the best painter, but I know that when I'm feeling stressed or anxious I can count on running and crafting to make me feel more like myself. They are easy, fast, and carefree coping mechanisms that don't take up a lot of time and allow me to break up my day with less anxiety.
These coping mechanisms are not a permanent fix by any means, but they are a great distraction from a stressful daily routine. I used to make 100 excuses every day about why I couldn't take time for myself. But until I did, I was hurting myself by not caring for my mental health. It's important to take care of our minds the same way we care for our bodies when they are sick; making small changes that allow us to distract ourselves can really start to help.
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