Concerts are always so much fun but they can be hard for panic attack and anxiety sufferers.
Here, I am sharing some tips for going to concerts with anxiety.
1. Where comfortable clothing and footwear.
As it is winter here and the nights are particularly cold, you will need a jacket but when you are inside with the crowd of people, jumping up and down and dancing, it will get hot and your anxiety can cause you to sweat so wear short sleeves or light clothes and flat and comfortable shoes. High heels are not a good idea as you will be standing for a long time, you do't want your feet to hurt,
2. Choose the right bag
Take a bag small enough to hold the essentials such as your ticket, phone, money and keys. One you can carry on your shoulder is best so there's no weight on your arms and your hands are free.
3. Don't forget a phone charger
You will be using it to take photos and videos all night which drains your battery and if it goes flat you won't be able to use it when you're travelling home. That can make you more anxious if you're travelling home alone and you need to text or call someone to pick you up or let them know you're on your way or if there is an emergency. You can get small chargers from JB Hi-Fi which easily fit into purses so go get one.
4. Take a friend or few along
Go to the show with a friend. You will have fun together and, if they do't already know about your anxiety, tell them about it and how they can help you if you don't feel too good at any point during the show.
5. Check out the venue
If you have time, go to the venue where the concert will be a day or 2 before to see how to get there. If you're driving there, see where the parking area is or find nearby streets you could park in. If you're going there by public transport, find the nearest station and see how long it would take to walk from the station to the venue and then back again and look at bus timetables and routes. Make sure you find out when the last train runs. Alternatively, go a few hours early on the day of the concert t do that and look around the venue. Locate the exits, toilets and where you could buy food and drinks.
6. Plan how you're going to get home
Make plans for you're going to get home after the concert. If you live far away from the venue and are catching public transport, go with your friends or find out if there is anyone else going on the train who you could go with. If you have to travel home alone at night and are scared to do that (this causes anxiety) see the possibility of staying over at a friends house. If for some reason you ca't spend the night with a friend, like your friend can't have you at their house or you're not allowed to stay there, you may have to leave the concert early. Of course you won't want to do that because you paid to be at the show so you don't want to miss any of the performances or the meet and greet after, f there is one, but you need to get home safely.
7. Eat well
Just in case you're not allowed to take food into the venue, eat a good meal beforehand as it will be hours till the concert ends and you can get food.Either eat a big meal at home or go early and find a cafe or fast food place somewhere near the venue.
8. Have snacks
Speaking of food, it's a good idea to have some small snacks in your bag, especially if you're anemic or have any conditions or other reasons why you need to eat regularly. Find out beforehand if you're allowed to take them in. Email the venue or ask a staff member while you're waiting to go in and if they say yes, I suggest taking some almonds, cashews or a muesli bar, something you can easily slip into your bag. Also have some water to stay hydrated. Take a bottle with you or buy one there if you can. They may even hand out bottles of water there. Having these will prevent you from feeling dizzy and fainting.
9. Talk to Security and staff
Talk to the security guards and staff at the venue. It may be intimidating but remember they are there to help, keep everyone safe and make sure everything is under control. You can ask them any questions you have like where the toilets are if you haven't found them already. At some point during the show, you may feel like taking a break and getting some fresh air so ask them if you're allowed to do that. You want to make sure that if you go out for fresh air, you'll be able to go back in. You don't have to tell the security about your anxiety but they would have been at a lot of concerts and may have seen a lt of people with anxiety so they may be able to tell that you have it ad that's ok because they might look out for you during the show. Remember, they are nice people who are there to help.
10. Stand in a spacious area
If you're in General Admission and standing, fid a spot where you have enough space to move around. This is important if you're claustrophobic and fel uncomfortable in a crowd and tight spaces. The last thing you want if you're claustrophobic and tend to panic is to be squashed in a mosh pit where people push. That happens a lot, especially if the performers put their hands out and everyone screams and reaches out to touch them. Most people want to be as close to the stage as possible for that and to have the best view but being in a position where you can move and breathe easily will make you feel less anxious and safer and, if you need to get out, you can do so without having to push through a crowd of people.
Just before I end this post, here are some points about meet and greets.
1. Don't be nervous
Having the chance to meet the performers is amazing but can be scary, especially if it's you're first time. You may think of them as being more important or 'higher' than you and maybe you'e intimidated but remember, even though they perform on stage and are famous they really are just like us. It's very easy to say "don't be nervous" but there really is no need to be. They will greet you with a smile and have a nice conversation with you for as long as they are able to. Most of the time we only get a few seconds with them but they will make you feel welcome and comfortable. Even if you don't tell them you're nervous, they might be able to see that you are which may embarrass you but it's ok, they might say or do something to make you feel better.
2. If they say no
If you ask for a photo, hug or something else and they say no, it may hurt. Along with your anxiety, you may be sensitive or paranoid but but don't take it personally. They would never say yes to some people and no to others and there are a lot of reasons why they would have to say no, like limited time. Just be happy you get to meet them and get their autograph.
3. Ask
If photos are allowed but you're not good at taking selfies or are so anxious you can't do it, politely ask the performer if thy mind taking the photo for you or someone near you might be kind enough to offer to take it for you.
Everyone has their own ways of dealing with their anxiety, these are just my suggestions. I hope they help someone.
Have a great weekend!
V xoxo
Here, I am sharing some tips for going to concerts with anxiety.
Photo: Sweatpants & Coffee
1. Where comfortable clothing and footwear.
As it is winter here and the nights are particularly cold, you will need a jacket but when you are inside with the crowd of people, jumping up and down and dancing, it will get hot and your anxiety can cause you to sweat so wear short sleeves or light clothes and flat and comfortable shoes. High heels are not a good idea as you will be standing for a long time, you do't want your feet to hurt,
2. Choose the right bag
Take a bag small enough to hold the essentials such as your ticket, phone, money and keys. One you can carry on your shoulder is best so there's no weight on your arms and your hands are free.
3. Don't forget a phone charger
You will be using it to take photos and videos all night which drains your battery and if it goes flat you won't be able to use it when you're travelling home. That can make you more anxious if you're travelling home alone and you need to text or call someone to pick you up or let them know you're on your way or if there is an emergency. You can get small chargers from JB Hi-Fi which easily fit into purses so go get one.
4. Take a friend or few along
Go to the show with a friend. You will have fun together and, if they do't already know about your anxiety, tell them about it and how they can help you if you don't feel too good at any point during the show.
5. Check out the venue
If you have time, go to the venue where the concert will be a day or 2 before to see how to get there. If you're driving there, see where the parking area is or find nearby streets you could park in. If you're going there by public transport, find the nearest station and see how long it would take to walk from the station to the venue and then back again and look at bus timetables and routes. Make sure you find out when the last train runs. Alternatively, go a few hours early on the day of the concert t do that and look around the venue. Locate the exits, toilets and where you could buy food and drinks.
6. Plan how you're going to get home
Make plans for you're going to get home after the concert. If you live far away from the venue and are catching public transport, go with your friends or find out if there is anyone else going on the train who you could go with. If you have to travel home alone at night and are scared to do that (this causes anxiety) see the possibility of staying over at a friends house. If for some reason you ca't spend the night with a friend, like your friend can't have you at their house or you're not allowed to stay there, you may have to leave the concert early. Of course you won't want to do that because you paid to be at the show so you don't want to miss any of the performances or the meet and greet after, f there is one, but you need to get home safely.
7. Eat well
Just in case you're not allowed to take food into the venue, eat a good meal beforehand as it will be hours till the concert ends and you can get food.Either eat a big meal at home or go early and find a cafe or fast food place somewhere near the venue.
8. Have snacks
Speaking of food, it's a good idea to have some small snacks in your bag, especially if you're anemic or have any conditions or other reasons why you need to eat regularly. Find out beforehand if you're allowed to take them in. Email the venue or ask a staff member while you're waiting to go in and if they say yes, I suggest taking some almonds, cashews or a muesli bar, something you can easily slip into your bag. Also have some water to stay hydrated. Take a bottle with you or buy one there if you can. They may even hand out bottles of water there. Having these will prevent you from feeling dizzy and fainting.
9. Talk to Security and staff
Talk to the security guards and staff at the venue. It may be intimidating but remember they are there to help, keep everyone safe and make sure everything is under control. You can ask them any questions you have like where the toilets are if you haven't found them already. At some point during the show, you may feel like taking a break and getting some fresh air so ask them if you're allowed to do that. You want to make sure that if you go out for fresh air, you'll be able to go back in. You don't have to tell the security about your anxiety but they would have been at a lot of concerts and may have seen a lt of people with anxiety so they may be able to tell that you have it ad that's ok because they might look out for you during the show. Remember, they are nice people who are there to help.
10. Stand in a spacious area
If you're in General Admission and standing, fid a spot where you have enough space to move around. This is important if you're claustrophobic and fel uncomfortable in a crowd and tight spaces. The last thing you want if you're claustrophobic and tend to panic is to be squashed in a mosh pit where people push. That happens a lot, especially if the performers put their hands out and everyone screams and reaches out to touch them. Most people want to be as close to the stage as possible for that and to have the best view but being in a position where you can move and breathe easily will make you feel less anxious and safer and, if you need to get out, you can do so without having to push through a crowd of people.
Just before I end this post, here are some points about meet and greets.
1. Don't be nervous
Having the chance to meet the performers is amazing but can be scary, especially if it's you're first time. You may think of them as being more important or 'higher' than you and maybe you'e intimidated but remember, even though they perform on stage and are famous they really are just like us. It's very easy to say "don't be nervous" but there really is no need to be. They will greet you with a smile and have a nice conversation with you for as long as they are able to. Most of the time we only get a few seconds with them but they will make you feel welcome and comfortable. Even if you don't tell them you're nervous, they might be able to see that you are which may embarrass you but it's ok, they might say or do something to make you feel better.
2. If they say no
If you ask for a photo, hug or something else and they say no, it may hurt. Along with your anxiety, you may be sensitive or paranoid but but don't take it personally. They would never say yes to some people and no to others and there are a lot of reasons why they would have to say no, like limited time. Just be happy you get to meet them and get their autograph.
3. Ask
If photos are allowed but you're not good at taking selfies or are so anxious you can't do it, politely ask the performer if thy mind taking the photo for you or someone near you might be kind enough to offer to take it for you.
Everyone has their own ways of dealing with their anxiety, these are just my suggestions. I hope they help someone.
Have a great weekend!
V xoxo
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