Many of us feel anxious from time to time. There is nothing wrong with feeling anxious. We know that it can be difficult to deal or cope with these thoughts and feelings of anxiety. Here are some helpful tips for when you are feeling anxious.

1. Develop a growth mindset
   1. Many of us have a fixed mindset. Even though it is not necessarily a bad thing, it may hold us back from progress or accomplishing goals. For example, “This is how I am. I get anxious speaking in class and that will not change.” Or “Things will never change.”
   2. You can teach yourself new ways to combat a fixed mindset. This is called having a growth mindset. 
   3. It’s simple to use. Remind yourself that you are able to overcome these obstacles of anxiety. For example, “There is always room for improvement” or “I can do what I set my mind to.” 
2. Breathe
   1. When anxious, you should try to take deep slow breaths. 
   2. Inhale for 10 seconds and exhale for 10 seconds. 
   3. Guided meditation and other forms of meditation are helpful. There are many meditation videos that are very useful and can be found all over YouTube.
3. Self-talk
   1. Having a growth mindset and self-talk go hand-in-hand. 
   2. Instead of saying “I can’t do this” or “I am too anxious to get through this,” you should tell yourself, “I can do this” and “It’s okay if I am anxious. I can get through this.”
4. Face the anxious situation
   1. You should try to face the anxious situation head on, but at your own pace. 
   2. If you get anxious when speaking in class or being called on, you should try your best to raise your hand and participate in a class that you feel most comfortable in. As you get more and more comfortable speaking in one class, you can go on to the next and continue to practice publicly speaking until you feel less anxious. 

Learning to cope with anxiety can take time and practice. Do not get discouraged if change does not happen right away. Take your time and do everything at your own pace. The more you practice these skills and use these tips, the easier it will be. Remember there are always professionals that you can turn to if you are stuck and not sure which direction to go to. If coping becomes difficult, speak to an adult and discover what next steps are available for you to take.