Poems About Anxiety And Mental Health
Below, you’ll find a few poems that discuss anxiety or related emotions and experiences, which you may find helpful if you’re facing symptoms of anxiety yourself. Remember that seeking professional treatment for symptoms of any mental health disorder is usually recommended.
Understanding anxiety
First, let’s take a quick overview of anxiety. In the general sense, anxiety is a normal feeling that most people will experience from time to time. It can be described as “an emotion characterized by apprehension and somatic symptoms of tension in which an individual anticipates impending danger, catastrophe, or misfortune.”
Temporary anxiety vs. anxiety disorders
Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and other types of anxiety disorders
- Persistent, uncontrollable worry
- Muscle tension
- Trouble sleeping
- A sense of dread
- Restlessness
- Panic attacks
Poems about anxiety and mental health
Examples of poetry about anxiety
More anxiety poems to inspire and uplift you
This poem, published in 1920, can be interpreted as a lament about the state of the world. Many people today can relate to the feelings Yeats describes here—including people with anxiety. It’s not uncommon to feel an uptick in anxious feelings after reading the news about what’s happening in our own communities and those beyond. The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that increasing numbers of individuals—particularly teens and young adults—are experiencing higher levels of stress and anxiety after reading the news. That’s why the APA suggests setting boundaries for news consumption if you find that it’s exacerbating feelings of anxiety.
Seeking treatment for anxiety
Effectiveness of online therapy for mental health conditions like anxiety and depression
Takeaway
What is the 3-3-3 rule for anxiety?
The 3-3-3 rule is a popular coping strategy for anxiety. It involves naming three things you can see, three sounds you can hear, and three things you can touch.
Where can I find poems about anxiety and depression?
A poem about depression and anxiety makes the readers feel that they are less alone in their struggles. Poems may offer solace and validation. You can find poems about anxiety and depression by searching online. You can also visit poetry websites and filter by topic. Emily Dickinson, Elizabeth Bishop, and William Blake are among the renowned poets who wrote some of the most famous poems about anxiety.
Other resources for people with anxiety and depression:
In addition to reading poetry, other ways can help you cope with anxiety and depression include:
Engaging in physical activities. Doing regular exercise may help improve symptoms of anxiety and depression. People with anxiety and depression often lack the motivation to do physical activity. It may help to stand and move regularly throughout the day. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, compared to sedentary individuals, physically active individuals have lower rates of anxiety and depression.
Getting enough rest. Sleep and relaxation are crucial for reducing stress, improving mood, and enhancing cognitive function. Quiet moments of rest may help alleviate anxiety and depression. Some people with anxiety may experience bad dreams or disturbed sleep. Talk with your healthcare professional if you are experiencing sleep issues.
Having a strong support system. Family and friends can help provide emotional support and a sense of belonging. Having someone to talk to and laugh with may make a difference.
Socializing. Socialization may help improve mood and reduce stress. Try meeting a friend or having a short chat with a stranger.
Avoiding alcohol and drug misuse. Intrusive thoughts can fill the mind, causing the individual to struggle to focus on their life. This, and other symptoms, may lead them to resort to alcohol and drug misuse to cope. Substance use can exacerbate anxiety and depression.
Seeking professional help. When symptoms of anxiety and depression already impact your life, it may be best to seek professional help. Mental health professionals will help identify the root cause and explain the symptoms you are experiencing. They may also suggest treatment options needed to help you improve your condition.
What can you say to an anxious person?
Anxiety can happen to anyone. Kids, teens, and adults can develop anxiety disorders. Sweating, sleep issues, fear that one might lose control, and other anxiety symptoms may feel overwhelming.
You can comfort an anxious person by asking how they are and offering to listen. Although saying the wrong thing may be unavoidable, educating yourself can help you find the right words and avoid miscommunication. You may say, “Your feelings are valid” or “You are not alone.” Some of the worst phrases you can say are “It’s just in your head” and “Just calm down.” Doing so may make them feel that you doubt their experience, which could escalate their distress.
Anxiety is a serious mental health condition, and there are no magic pills or words that can treat it overnight. It may help if people around the individuals experiencing anxiety understand the disorder and do not use harsh or judgmental words that may make the individuals doubt or second-guess their experience, which may worsen the symptoms.
How can I stop anxious thoughts in 30 seconds?
For some people, especially those who are experiencing panic attacks, anxious thoughts may come with physical symptoms that make them feel that they are going to die or lose control. To stop anxious thoughts quickly and relax the mind and body. You can try deep breathing techniques or grounding strategies for anxiety. You may also lie down or sit comfortably and do the progressive muscle relaxation.
For some individuals, the desire to control their emotions may lead them to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as avoidance or resorting to other unhelpful behaviors like alcohol and drug misuse. If anxious thoughts start affecting your day-to-day life, consider seeking professional support. Seeking help does not mean you are weak; it’s a proactive way to help you improve your well-being.
What are some poems about anxiety and mental health?
Popular poems about anxiety and mental health include "Mental Traveler" by William Blake, "Mirror" by Sylvia Plath, and "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" by Emily Dickinson. Other poems about anxiety and mental health by famous poets are “I felt a Funeral, in my Brain” by Emily Dickinson and “Visits to St. Elizabeths” by Elizabeth Bishop.
How can writing poetry calm anxiety?
For some people, poetry can be a source of solace. Sometimes, people struggle to voice their emotions. Writing poetry can give them an outlet for their emotions and feelings of worry. For example, a person experiencing emotions and anxiety after the death of one of their parents may express their grief through poetry. Writing your fears, sorrow, and anxiety through poetry verses may help you cope with negative emotions and release trapped and complex feelings. Catharsis methods, such as writing and crying, may allow a person to release intense feelings, possibly contributing to a calmer state.
What is a famous line from a poem about anxiety?
Some poets write about anxiety and mental health. An example of a famous line from a poem about anxiety is “I am too alone in the world, and not alone enough” by Rainer Maria Rilke. Another is “Turning and turning in the widening gyre / The falcon cannot hear the falconer” by W.B. Yeats.
A poem written by John Clare includes these famous lines:
“I long for scenes where man hath never trod
A place where woman never smiled or wept
There to abide with my Creator, God,
And sleep as I in childhood sweetly slept,
Untroubling and untroubled where I lie
The grass below — above the vaulted sky.”
Can poetry help with anxiety?
Yes, poetry may help with anxiety. Research conducted by the University of Plymouth and Nottingham Trent University suggests that engaging in activities such as showing, discussing, and writing poetry can help improve mental health. Verses of poetry may also offer a sight of hope and solace for people experiencing anxiety. A 2022 study on 49 nursing students shows that poetry can significantly decrease stress and anxiety.
Poetry therapy, a form of mental healing through writing and reading poetry, may help clients cope with their anxiety symptoms. A 2019 study shows that poetry therapy can help reduce anxiety and PTSD symptoms in patients with myocardial infarction.
A mother experiencing anxiety may also find solace in poetry. A 2025 study published in the Journal of Poetry Therapy shows that poetry usage can help reduce anxiety in mothers with chronically ill children.
Why is poetry calming?
Poetry may provide solace and calmness. Poetry can be calming because it allows emotional reprocessing, validation of emotions, and a sense of connection with others. It may remind you that you are not alone, easing doubt and disquiet in your mind. Poems about anxiety may help you feel understood and affirm that your feelings are valid. Poetry may reduce anxious feelings. Even in the moments of darkness brought on by anxiety, poetry may offer comfort.
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