November is Men's Health Month and I wanted to share my story with mental health.
I struggle with anxiety.
For the past 3 years I've made huge efforts to cure myself of it.
I take medications, I meditate, I journal, I exercise, I've reduced my drinking, I see a therapist, and I get coaching on it.
There are times I've gone 2 - 3 weeks without being overwhelmed and I start to think that I've got this whipped.
Then something changes in my schedule, or something happens that I haven't accounted for and BAM!
I lose control and all the emotions come flooding in.
Sometimes it shows up as depression, over consumption or anger.
But recently, I started to see my anxiety in a different way. I started to realize that its here forever. There is no cure and that as long as I'm alive I'm going to feel anxiety.
It doesn't mean that I have to react to it or be a victim to it.
I've started to see my anxiety as a benefit.
>It pushes me to be the best I can be at anything I put my mind to.
>It's made me very reliable and dependable
>My anxiety gives me more empathy for all the people around me.
All these things aren't possible if I didn't have anxiety.
So, I let it be there when it comes up in times when I don't need it. I take a break, notice it, allow it to exist. In fact I don't resist the urge at all. I know its just a feeling and it will pass.
My anxiety is me, its rushing in to help solve a problem even when there isn't one to solve.
Please reach out for help if you are struggling with anxiety, depression, or any other mental health issue.
You don't need to suffer in silence.