Coping With Anxiety: How to Find Things That Help You Breathe Again by Jessica Lawrence

We're always under the same sky.

Some time ago, I gifted someone special a coin that read the above statement. For some reason, it calmed me down – knowing we couldn't be together was difficult, but the sentiment of realizing we were always somehow close helped.

Last night, I found a familiar pit in my stomach. Anxiety. I couldn't even breathe. I awoke, covered in sweat. I kept repeating the above phrase, attempting to calm down. It wasn't helping.

I optimistically hoped to hear from the bearer of the gift on Mother's Day, as he used to praise what a good mother I am. When the day came and went, I was again crushed by him. (Amazing, it can happen even when they're not in your life anymore. Am I right?!) So as I sat in my bed last night, crying and alone, I started to think of things that might help me breathe:

• Watching the waves from the dock.

• The feeling you get when you finish a book.

• Watching my daughter smile.

• The feeling of rain while you run.

I finally fell back to sleep.

The pit is still there, and I'm hoping in time, it goes away again.

What things help you breathe?

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