It’s hard to stay anxiety-free in our crazy world. Whether it’s the newest national tragedy, workplace havoc, or trouble at home, it may often feel impossible to avoid an anxious mindset. Thankfully there are strategies to help keep your mind at peace, though they’re all mostly moot because that fan above your bed is wobbly as hell and definitely going to fall and kill you.
Maintaining a healthy mindset also means keeping yourself physically healthy. Staying active, eating right, and seeing a physician regularly are a must for keeping in shape. You should also get plenty of sleep. But how is that possible when this flailing fan has a goddamn death wish?
Be adventurous! Even small changes in scenery can do wonders for your mental wellness. For instance, instead of sleeping underneath the 35 lbs of whirling metal dangling a short eight-foot drop from your skull, spend the night on the living room couch.
Surround yourself with friends and family that you can rely on for support. Having a strong network of people who see you for the great person you are can be lifesaving, unlike the fan, which sees itself as a hammer and you as a fucking nail, buddy.
It’s important to recognize when you’re caught in a loop of anxious thinking. It starts small with a simple thought like, “Fuck, did my landlord hang this fan up with glue and tampons? Why does it sound like a blender filled with marbles and baby ducks?”
If you find yourself in mental freefall, try to take a breath and rationalize the situation.
For example, instead of saying, “I’m just going to lay here and wait for this fan to fall and shatter every single bone in my body because, like Sisyphus, my life will never amount to anything but suffering and disappointment,” use short, declarative statements like, “I’m going to turn off the fan.”
Any progress is progress. Set simple daily goals for yourself. It could be as basic as going to the store and buying one of those tower fans. Just don’t think about why they cost $70 for some reason.