Anxiety started to take control over my life. I didn’t know what to do anymore. I refused to take meds because they made me zombie-like. Using different drugs, I’ve started feeling like I was losing my self—the core of my personality started to change.

The meds took the better of me. I wasn’t the same person as I used to be—only the silhouette of my personality was left.

So, I decided to stop using meds and I tried some others ways—natural ways—of controlling my anxiety. Because, after all, it was all in my head and I’m the only one who has the right to mess with my head and the only one who can stop it.

If you have the same problem, please, listen to me and force yourself into believing you can do it. Try some of the things that helped me.

But remember, if you don’t decide you can win, you will never win.

1. Work out

if your body is healthy, your mind will follow. Do a little bit of exercise and believe me, you will feel much better. Make your body strong and your mind will be stronger, too.

To me, about 15 minutes of cardio in the morning made a notable difference. I was feeling healthy and happy. Some mornings, I didn’t have the strength or will to get up from the bed and do my exercises, but I realized I just had to do it.

The most important thing is to find the strength to get up. And after doing some exercises, you won’t regret getting up for a second. You will be proud of yourself.

2. Write down your feelings

This may sound a little bit cheesy but believe me, it works. Keep a diary of your feelings. When you’re feeling you can’t take it anymore and your anxiety is eating you alive, grab a piece of paper and write down all that’s bugging you.

It even doesn’t have to be a diary—just a piece of paper which you can throw away when you’re done. The important thing is to lash out those emotions somewhere—as long as they don’t stay bottled up inside you.

3. Clean up your surroundings

Although it seems to be a little strange, this is also very important. Clean your house, your apartment from all kinds of crap you’ve been collecting for years. Rearrange your furniture—get a clean start.

Cleaning your house of trash is helping you clean your mind, so anxiety won’t be able to run wild—because everything is tidy. Also, cleaning will occupy your mind and you won’t be able to think about things that are making you anxious.

4. Pick small goals

Make a ‘to-do’ list and pick some small tasks or goals. This will help you feel like you’ve accomplished something. I mean, you did, but no matter how small or insignificant that goal was, you will feel proud of yourself.

This is all about control. You will be able to control yourself through small tasks. By fulfilling those tasks on time, you will train your body to someday succeed in controlling your anxiety. Although it seems small and trivial, by doing this bit by bit, you will learn how to take control over yourself.

5. Go for a walk

Every night I take some time to go for a walk with my dog. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a dog—go for a walk anyway. This will help you big time. Fresh air and walking with no particular purpose except walking will make you feel better.

By walking your dog, you will feel better as a human, because you’re giving your dog the satisfaction of a walk. On the other hand, you’re going to feel relaxed and you will be able to start another day with a calm and trash-free mind.

Remember, these are just some of the things you can do. These things helped me and they may help you, too. Even if they don’t, there are lots of suggestions out there so I’m sure you will find things of your own to help you control your anxiety.

But the bottom line is that you are the one who has to take the first step. You are the one who has to snap out of your situation and decide you want to get better.