Anxiety: a feeling of worry, nervousness or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.

The debilitating emotion with a host of symptoms, usually about forthcoming events. Managing mine is akin to minding a troop of chimpanzees. They scream and fight constantly in my head… but I recognise they dwell within me and I’m leaning to control them.

Controlling them is key. We can go some way to control this hindering feeling, where we can’t with some other mental health problems.

First we have to accept that they reside within us, and that in itself is a huge accomplishment. It’s comparable to a person accepting that they use alcohol; and self-honesty is extremely brave and liberating – it prepares the mind for change and new possibilities.

Next, we’d benefit by telling people that we wrestle with controlling our anxiety chimps. This way they’ll be able to help you: send Zoom invitations early, email you directions to a meeting, simply being more informed and understanding your needs better.

So, the anxiety primates are vying for our attention. What else can we do? We can distract them: oranges, apples, and an old tyre swing rope. We can side-track our heads by putting on our favourite sounds, going for a walk, FaceTiming a friend, painting, baking bread – whatever works for you.

For me, it’s baking chocolate chip cookies. Think ahead and get the ingredients in, so next time you feel your anxiety chimp throw a banana at you, grab it off him and make a banana cake instead!

Jot down a few things that help distract you from your anxiety chimps, and make sure you keep them within grabbing reach for the next time you feel anxious!