Anxiety is something that a lot of people go through on an everyday basis, but are afraid to open up about. While having anxiety can be scary, going through it alone can be even scarier. As someone who personally deals with anxiety on a regular basis, I find that speaking to others about it – or sharing my own story – makes it a bit easier to deal with. Knowing that other people go through similar feelings that I have makes me feel less crazy and not so alone. Also, people have great advice in ways to cope with anxiety attacks. When I see people open up about their own struggles with anxiety on social media – I always feel as though they’re so brave – because I know how hard it can be for people to discuss their personal issues on such a public platform.
One Yoga teacher, Jessica Olie, got super candid about her own anxiety on her Instagram page recently, and – her story is not only brave, but also inspiring.
She wrote:
I always try to keep it as real as I can on here.
I’m aware that my posts haven’t been “normal” or “uplifting” the last few months. They’ve been quite heavy and emotional.
I cannot pretend to be ok or feel inspired because that’s not how I feel.
I’ve made peace with the fact that maybe not everyone will like this version of me but maybe a few of you can relate to what I’m working through and know that you are not alone. We are not alone.
Yesterday I didn’t leave my bed until 5pm. I didn’t open the curtains or check my emails. I didn’t change my clothes.
My day was spent trying to breathe through anxiety attacks and quiet my mind that had found itself in a dark place.
This is not me but it’s a part of me, a side of me that I’ve had to confront a lot over the last few months since my dad got diagnosed and every day, every hour, every minute is so different.
This morning I set my alarm for 5am and forced myself to get out of bed to do the things that I would usually do.
So I took my mat and flowed and cried as I watched the sunrise over the city, with the sound of the waves right next to me.
I’m not sure I would have gotten out of bed again today if I hadn’t made the conscious choice that this is what my mind and my body needed.
I’m learning to feel through the moments where I need to stay in bed all day and the moments where I need to pull myself out of it.
Today is a better day.
Not only is it brave for Jessica to open up about her anxiety, but, the way in which she discusses it can help other people who experience similar days that she experienced herself. She realizes that sometimes, taking a break is what’s needed to refresh and rejuvenate one’s emotional well-being. But, when you have anxiety, you sometimes have to give yourself a bit of a push – forcing yourself to get your day started and done.
As well – doing yoga has been proven to be a great way to relieve anxiety and cope with its side effects. Jessica’s Instagram video shows certain poses and ways that people do and use in order to combat their own anxiety problems.