How to Commit to Plans When You Have Anxiety

An anxiety episode prevents us from doing many things, one of which is committing to plans. If you or someone you know keeps cancelling plans with friends and family members because of anxiety, you can end up disappointing those around you. While you have a right to cancel if you don’t want to, some people end up being serial cancellers, and that can have a negative effect on you. Here’s how you can commit to plans.

Get Help for Anxiety

If you’re suffering from severe depression, anxiety, or another mental health problem, online therapy can help. When you can’t even get out of the house, online therapy allows you to get help from your own home on your own terms. For more information, click here and see what we mean.

Be Upfront if You Need to Cancel

One of the worst things you can do when you cancel plans with a friend is to ghost them. Ghosting hurts, and it will make your friends feel like you don’t like them. If your anxiety is too much, just be direct. Tell your friends “I’m not in the best mental state,” and offer to make it up sometime.

Don’t Overburden Yourself

One reason anxiety happens is because we make too many plans and we simply can’t commit to them all. For some anxiety patients, we only have so much before we feel overburdened. Then, our only option is to cancel plans. Sometimes, you have to make decisions. Learn to say no every once in a while, and you may feel a lot better as a result. Never burden yourself too much.

Offer to Hang Out With People in Ways That Make You Feel Comfortable

Sometimes, you do want to hang out with people, but it’s always in an uncomfortable setting. Rather than hanging out with just the two of you, a friend invites you to a party you can’t handle. Or they may invite you to go to a concert or another busy place. Sometimes, you may just want to hang with a friend in a more chill environment. Putting your preferences upfront can help prevent isolation and other problems you may experience.

Spend Time With People When Your Anxiety is Better

If your anxiety episode becomes dormant, use that to your advantage. Talk to friends and family when you feel like hanging. Perhaps you should know their schedules ahead of time and make sure it lines up with yours. Spend time with your family as well.

Conclusion

With that said, remember that you should not force yourself in a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable. While it may be wise to get outside your comfort zone, you have to remember baby steps. Don’t overburden yourself too much with things that make you uncomfortable. Your mind and body will thank you for it later. Also, make sure to practice techniques to reduce your anxiety.