Okay, so let’s talk about something that’s been bugging me lately: these darn rashes I get when my anxiety acts up. I swear, it’s like my skin is in cahoots with my brain to make me as uncomfortable as possible. It all started a few years back. I noticed that whenever I was super stressed or anxious, I’d break out in these itchy, red patches. At first, I thought it was just a coincidence, maybe a new laundry detergent or something.
But then, it kept happening. Big presentation at work? Rash. First date? Rash. Trying to parallel park in a tight spot? You guessed it, rash. So, I started paying more attention. I’d get anxious, and bam, within minutes, the itching would start. It was mostly on my arms and neck, but sometimes it would spread to my chest and back, too. Not a good look, especially if I was trying to make a good impression.
I tried all sorts of things to deal with it. I switched to hypoallergenic everything, carried around anti-itch cream like it was my lifeline, and even tried to meditate my way out of it. The meditation actually helped a bit, but it wasn’t a quick fix. It took me some time to figure out what works best for me. I began to walk more. Just a simple walk around the block would do wonders. It was like the physical activity gave my anxious energy somewhere to go, instead of manifesting as an itchy nightmare on my skin.
- I make an effort to exercise regularly.
- I started to learn how to do meditation.
- I cut out caffeine from my diet.
- I tried to get enough sleep.
It’s not a perfect system, of course. I still get rashes sometimes, especially when I’m really stressed. But now I know how to deal with them better. I’ve got my walking routine, my calming playlists, and my trusty anti-itch cream. And you know what? It’s kind of empowering, in a weird way. Like, I’m not just a victim of my anxiety anymore. I’m taking control, one step at a time.
I know I’m not the only one who deals with this kind of thing. So, if you’re out there, breaking out in hives every time your boss schedules a meeting, just know you’re not alone. And maybe, just maybe, a walk around the block could do you some good, too. Or whatever helps you calm down, if walking is not your thing then do that.
The little trick that works
Here’s something that I found also works well when nothing else is helping and it’s a simple one. I go to a mirror and remind myself that I’m safe and everything will be okay. Repeating this a few times while looking at myself in the mirror is an instant remedy.
