How I cope when I feel anxious

How I Cope When Anxiety Feels Overwhelming

Being a junior in high school can feel like standing in the middle of a storm sometimes.

Between keeping up with grades, trying to figure out my future, juggling friendships,

and just being a teenager, there are days when my anxiety feels like it’s swallowing me whole.

 I’ve had more anxious moments than I can count—those times when your heart is racing, your thoughts are spiraling, and it feels like you can’t catch your breath.

 But over time, I’ve found ways to cope, even when things get really hard.

ally I figured out how to balance everything—and now I feel so much less stressed.

I want to share my experience, not because I have everything figured out, but because I know how lonely anxiety can feel.

 If you’ve ever been there, I want you to know you’re not the only one.

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Letting It Out (Even If It’s Messy)

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that holding everything in only makes it worse.

Sometimes, I just need to let it out in a way that feels real and physical.

There have been moments when I’ve gone outside and thrown a plate just to release all that pent-up tension.

I know it sounds dramatic, but there’s something about that sharp crash that feels like a weight lifting off my chest.

Other times, I’ll grab my pillow, bury my face in it, and scream.

It’s not pretty or calm or “perfect,” but neither is anxiety. And that’s okay.

Those moments don’t make me weak or “too emotional”—they remind me that it’s okay to feel.

It’s okay to be human. 

Releasing those feelings safely is so much better than bottling them up until they explode in a worse way later.

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Leaning on My Best Friend

Another thing that has saved me so many times is talking to my best friend.

She’s the kind of person who doesn’t judge, who doesn’t tell me to “just get over it,” but instead listens and comforts me.

Sometimes we don’t even talk about what’s making me anxious—we’ll just laugh about something random, or she’ll tell me about her day until I feel grounded again.

There was one night when I was overwhelmed about school, college applications, and just… everything.

I texted her at midnight, half-expecting her not to respond. 

But she called me right away.

Just hearing her voice made the world feel a little less heavy.

Having someone like that doesn’t erase my anxiety, but it makes me feel less alone, and that can make all the difference.

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Finding Small Things That Calm Me

I’ve also learned that sometimes coping isn’t about a big, dramatic moment.

It’s about the small things that keep me steady.

Listening to my favorite playlist on repeat, going for a walk with my headphones in, or even just sitting on my bed and doodling in my notebook can help quiet my mind.

Other times, I’ll journal.

Writing down what I’m feeling helps me untangle my thoughts and see things more clearly.

It doesn’t fix everything, but it gives my worries a place to go instead of circling around in my head.

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What I Tell Myself When It Gets Bad

When my anxiety is at its worst, it’s easy to believe that it’ll always feel this way.

But I remind myself of all the times I’ve felt anxious before and made it through.

I think about the hard days that once felt impossible but are now just memories.

I remind myself that anxiety isn’t who I am—it’s just something I experience.

I also try to be gentle with myself.

It’s easy to get frustrated and think, “Why am I like this?” But I’m learning to treat myself with the same kindness I’d offer a friend. 

Some days, coping means giving myself permission to cry or vent.

Other days, it means distracting myself with something I love.

And sometimes, it’s as simple as saying, “This feeling won’t last forever.”

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Why Sharing Matters

Talking about anxiety used to feel scary, like people would think I was overreacting.

 But the more I’ve opened up, the more I’ve realized that so many people—friends, classmates, even adults I look up to—have felt the same way.

Sharing my struggles doesn’t just help me; it helps others feel less alone, too.

High school is full of pressure, and pretending to be fine all the time only makes it worse.

Being honest about my feelings and reaching out for support has taught me that strength isn’t about pretending you’re okay—it’s about finding healthy ways to cope and asking for help when you need it.

If you’re a high schooler dealing with anxiety, I want you to know you’re not broken or weak.

Anxiety doesn’t define you, and you don’t have to fight it on your own.

Whether it’s screaming into a pillow, tossing a plate to feel that release, or leaning on a friend who makes you feel safe, coping looks different for everyone—and that’s okay.

For me, it’s been a mix of messy moments, small comforts, and the love of people who truly care.

I’m still figuring things out, but every time I survive an anxious day, I prove to myself that I’m stronger than I think.

And if you’re reading this and you’re in the middle of one of those days, I promise: you are, too.