Holidays are such a HUGE stress factor.

It's that time of the year again, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years' Eve/Day.

We all know what that means big family gatherings and the headache of holiday shopping. It all just seems a bit much sometimes. For most, it's a wonderful time of the year, but for the rest of us, it can also be a depressing time of the year. Whether it be not having family, family drama, or just being alone while others are surrounded by loved ones.

Well, no one is alone in that boat. Sense of anxiety and depression rates always go up around this time of the year. If I could host a gathering where people could join others who might not have family around or no family at all and just be surrounded by people during this time I would. But some enjoy being alone during these times which is totally fine as well. I know myself I enjoy my peace where I can just make a hot cup of cocoa, and kick back with my soft pajamas and socks with my dog.

Do not let these holidays kick you down! Be thankful for being here still and that you are able to at least have a roof over your head and food on the table. Most don't even have the advantage of enjoying that.

You know those people you see when you drive around or even walk around with big tents, surrounded by a small fire or huge tarps? They have no one but themselves not only on the holidays but all the time. I encourage people to go out and volunteer for the programs to provide holiday meals for the homeless during the holidays. I would encourage everyone to help all year round as well. It will make you feel good knowing you are able to help those in need.

I got off track for a second so let me reel you back in, do not isolate yourself guys. It's easier said than done yes. I have said this myself, it is not easy to make yourself feel better about things during the holidays when you are constantly surrounded by others joining family and being surrounded by love.

Get up, look in that mirror and tell yourself

"We are going to be okay! We are going to make the most of it and have a kick-ass time!"

You do not have to always be doing things to be a part of the holidays, do your normal thing. Read, go for a walk, talk to your fur animals, and be surrounded by your friends! Do whatever distracts you from being stuck in your head all day. It is okay to have moments where you just don't feel like getting out of bed. That is okay! We all feel that way and get that way sometimes, I sure as hell know I do!

To conclude, I do hope my readers know the holidays are no different from any other day! Let me remind you, you can utilize my blog site as a way of reaching out and simply talking! I will listen and hear you, I will be here for you! Sometimes you don't always want to open up to people close to you, I get it. Seeing a shrink? Not really your thing? I get it. Trust me when I say you are never alone.

Anxiety does not own us, we own it!

Anxiety has been around for millions of years. Everyone has it differently though. Some people need to stay medicated to cope and some simply do not know what to do.

Let me start off by saying anxiety does not own us. It is a part of our daily lives, making it hard for us to concentrate at work, in class, or with family or friends. We do not know why we get anxiety, some tend to get it out of nowhere! I get anxious from being around large crowds, meeting parents, or even opening up to people I don't know. Anxiety does not make us who we are through.

It's easier said than done right? It's easy to say it does not make us who we are, but when we start to feel it--it starts to disrupt the good things in our lives. It causes us issues with creating strong bonds with others, it causes us to shut down and isolate ourselves until we feel better. Let me tell you this one more time.

"You are not alone."

Anxiety makes it hard for us to eat, sleep, or do any daily activities. I suffer from clinical bipolar depression that comes with an overload of anxiety. When I finally decided to put my foot down and ask for help from my medical provider. Taking medication is not always the solution; sometimes, regular coping mechanisms are just not enough. I personally was exhausted and frustrated with always missing out on the little things in life because of it.

My experiences with anxiety when I am having an attack approach, it becomes hard for me to breath as if my chest is going to cave in on me, or my heart is about to jump out of my chest. Feeling dizzy and lightheaded is normal, and usually means you are close to passing out. Do not be alarmed the body will make you pass out in order to bring your heart rate back down to its normal pace. To stop you from hyperventilating or worse having a stroke or heart attack.

There are loads of coping exercises to help when you feel an anxiety attack approaching.

First, you want to remove yourself from the environment you are currently in. Sometimes it has to do with who you are around or what is going on at that moment. Take a minute and take in slow deep breaths, as if you were getting a check-up at the doctor's office. Do you know when Dr. Doolittle is about to check your heart and ask for slow but steady deep breaths? Yes! You got it!

Drink plenty of fluids such as water. You want to try and calm your body from going completely spaz on you. Maybe you have someone with you, that can help distract you from it. It can be anyone, if they are not there pick up the phone and call them! We all know we have at least one person who helps us focus. If for any reason it is not a person, grab your fur baby or even play some music. You are distracting your brain so it takes time to realize everything is okay.

If none of these things work and you feel like passing out? Dizzy spells, or even have a hard time breathing, call up your doctor and request an appointment!

Again, anxiety is never an easy thing to cope with. But we do have to learn how to deal with it as it is a part of our daily lives every single day. Millions and millions of people suffer from it, some worse than others, but make taking care of yourself a priority over anything else. Find something that calms you and brings you back to reality, whether it be a person, animal, or object that means something close to you.

Never feel like you are alone or you can't ask for help. There are tons of resources and people who specialize in things like anxiety, they are there for you! Take advantage of them!

and as I said before "Anxiety does not own us, we own it!"