people at my school apparently think im cool and scary(?) and nonchalant like how do i tell them im just socially awkward and don't talk because im afraid of them all
conducting hours of research (I vaguely thought about it for a year) and consulting experts (reached out to every autistic person I know = my friends) before deciding on the most ethical solution (a pair of noise canceling headphones) to the unfortunately increase noise pollution (I have unmedicated anxiety and loud neighbors)
If you're an anxious creacher like me, you probably don't like going places without assorted stuff. So I have made the executive decision to create a list of things that I have found good for putting into a little bag and carrying around with me.
+ Bottle of water - eminently practical
+ Deodorant - anxiety can make you sweatier, even more so in summer. This is your weapon to fight it
+ Lip balm - personally I find this can stop me from chewing my lip (no one likes a bleeding lip)
+ Something to fiddle with - this could be blu tack, a stress ball, a stim toy, etc, anything to keep your hands occupied
+ Gum - chewing on something can help ground you and a minty flavour helps keep your breath fresh
+ Tic tacs - optional, similar effect to gum but cuter and more focused on freshness than chewiness
+ Tissues - so, so useful, this is one of the things I'd recommend most
+ Hand sanitiser - keeps you clean clean clean, wards away the Bad textures. Especially good for emetophobia
+ Meds - whatever meds you need (again, good for emetophobes). Plasters are also useful
+ Snack - grab a snack you're more comfortable with potentially eating in public if need be. You need your energy boost <3
Safety Signals For The Anxious, And Why They Help.
Hey-hi! I am TailorOfFates and Iām back again to chat about yet another aspect of anxiety!Ā Safety Signalsā¦
Many people have asked me about the face mask I wear. No, itās not to protect me from covid, itās filled with holes you sillies. Though, this question actually brings us to the topic of todays rant. See, the previously ignorant version of me used to call them safety items, but after doing my research and checking around Iāve learned that theyāre actually called āSafety Signals.ā This can be anything from playing a favored song or playlist, a comforting item, or even just a friendly face.
Safety signals are things that help us to feel comfortable while we are outside of our comfort zone, making it easier to cope with unfamiliar or even chaotic environments. This was officially named when researchers of both Weill Cornell Medicine and Yale University conducted a test where they taught a group of people (and mice) to associate safety with colored shapes and simple tones. They then exposed the group to a threatening object and of course, the people undergoing the test had the expected response, they got anxious, however, when shown the same threatening item with the addition of the associated safety signals the threat perceived by the group was significantly reduced.
Now, as I mentioned earlier āsafety signalsā can be produced by anything that brings the person in question comfort. Fun fact, you ever notice how children have issues outgrowing safety blankets and favored toys? Well, thatās because they are technically safety signals and they allow them to face new experiences with a calmer mindset. You hear that? Anxious people are basically just big children. Please be patient with us, weāre trying!
So Iām going to assign those of you who are anxious a little homework. I know, I know, homework sucks, but I bet you itāll help! The assignment is to study yourself so you can learn what your safety signals are, and once you figure them out, test them in areas that usually induce anxiety. Remember to take your baby steps. Try not to overstimulate yourself and day by day you may be able to use these safety signals to reduce your overall anxiety. They work pretty well for me.
I personally have 6 safety signals. My vape, my phone & headphones (this includes the music I listen to and I consider it all as one item), my housecoat or a similar style of comfortable and soft coat, my water bottle, and my backpack (which I usually use to store things I think I might need when traveling away from my home). These items serve to help me feel more comfortable when I exit my comfort zone and by discovering your own safety signals you may be able to ease your anxieties in your own way.
Thatās all I have for you today, but for those of you who have your own safety signals, Iād love to hear about them and how they help you. Stay safe out there, and remember, anxiety isnāt something you need to struggle through alone, so letās do our best to help each other turn anxiety attacks into anxiety hacks! Bye-bye <3
gentle reminder that crying is actually one of the best things you can do to relieve all that tension and emotion in your brain, and not to resist the impulse because it's 'weak' or 'unnecessary' or 'a plea for attention.' if you need to cry, do it, even if you don't always know the reason. your body does.
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