How I deal with anxiety and panic attacks!

1 in 4 people suffer from anxiety! 

This is a ridiculously high statistic! Not only is it alarming but also concerning. How can so many people suffer from anxiety but yet it is still a taboo subject. Those of you who know me personally will know I am very open about my anxieties and have regular panic attacks. I've tried many things to help combat it, anti-depressants made me feel worse and made the attacks harder to deal with and added the stress of restless nights and severe mood swings. I did find talking to counsellors helpful but the university only offer so many free sessions and they are expensive. After trying calming exercises, even yoga and breathing exercises I finally found something that really worked for me!

And where did I find this... In a Netflix show called the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt! 

It seems like a really random place to find something that helps my panic attacks, but it was a small piece of advice Kimmy gave to someone who was at the time panicking. 

If you can survive 10 seconds doing something you don't want to do, then you can do it for the rest of your life. The example in the show was when Kimmy who was kept in a bunker underground for 14 years, and had to turn a 'mysterious' crank... she did it for 10 seconds and then another and then another. When each 10 seconds is up you start with a new 10 seconds. At first I thought it was silly but then I gave it a try and it really worked. Not only for when I'm having a panic attack but when I'm jogging, or when I'm writing an assignment that looks endless or when I'm in a place that I just don't want to be. It really works.

I'm not saying it will help and work for everyone but give it a go. Next time you are doing something you hate or feeling a panic attack come on just give Kimmy Schmidt’s advice a go.

REMEMBER YOU ARE NOT ALONE! 

Please talk to someone.

https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/ ---- this website has fantastic information!

love yah 

IsThataRedHerring 

March already! Nearly April!

I know this post is a little late, as it is now March 15th! ALREADY! How is this even possible. It seems like only the other week I was starting Uni and now I have less than 3 months left. Three years of my life has gone so quickly.

I've had such an amazing time so far, third year has made me step my game up an extra notch, not going out as much any more, literally once a month if that. Despite having less lectures, I've found myself working a million times more. The library is becoming a second home, I  dream about my dissertation and my other assignments. But its no longer just the stress of uni work, but what I will be doing after I finish uni. So I now find myself applying for job after job. I have resorted to making a life plan okay well up until July

THE PLAN
March

• Write between 500-1000 words a day, in order to keep up to date and not get bored.
• Along with those words, I will be reading an finding a minimum of three articles each day.

I get to go home for a week in March/April as well so that's great. I am going to take the time to relax a little, but still continue with the writing and finding those articles or books. I am also going to see McBusted on the 29th of March so I am really excited! Also to see my family and friends :D 

April

• I have scheduled a small break down for about mid April, when I realise I have less than a month to complete all my work, and then that is the end of my University career
• But on another note the new Avengers movie comes out :D

May

• Now this is a MASSIVE month for me! And a lot of fellow third year students. First is DEADLINE day, the 5th of May, that is only 51 days away! I cannot believe it
• May 5th-- Time to get drunk with all the Educational Studies lot, we certainly deserve it!
• I am also hoping that I will be going to Dublin for a few days, it is a place I'v always wanted to go and explore. 
• Also, Pitch Perfect 2 comes out :D I adored the first one so I am very excited for the second installment 
• But my favourite event will be by far the SummerBall! Last year was amazing but this year I am sure will be even better. Friends, great music, great company and booze!

June 

• Shortly after SummerBall, I will be going to Poland for a 5 day holiday with a few friends, its a cheap and great holiday and something more to look forward to, and a great way to end m final year.
• Then it means moving out of my house in Plymouth and moving all my stuff back home! How all of my stuff will fit into one car  just don't know. 

July

This leaves the last month of my plan so far, I turn 21 on the 13th, I hope to party and see all my friends. I also hope by this point I have found a relatively good job and learning to drive. Small things ay!?

This was just a rambling post, but I felt the need to share my little plan with the world. I hope you enjoyed and sorry its been so long. 

Love yah 

IsThataRedHerring