How to cope with mid-rave anxiety

No matter how long you’ve been immersed in rave culture, there’s always a chance that you could be overcome with anxiety at the most unexpected moment. Any number of factors lie at the heart of this; from overdoing it, to personal issues, past trauma. You name it.

It’s a common experience and one which can often put a dampener on your night. But there are ways to deal with it, overcome it and possibly even enjoy the rest of the party.

IDENTIFY IT
All of sudden you feel different, disconnected, disoriented… perhaps fearful or a bit lost. Whatever it is, take a few minutes to identify that feeling. Go to the toilet or the smoking area and focus on your sensations.

FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL
If you can, try to work out what it is that’s causing the issue and, once you have, whether there are factors you can control. For instance, if you feel claustrophobic, relocate to somewhere with more space.

TELL A FRIEND
Here’s where your raving family comes into its own. Once you’ve identified your anxiety, tell those closest to you. Sharing, rather than suppressing, will take the edge off immediately.

TAKE TIME OUT AND BREATHE
Remove yourself from the dance floor, go outside, and take some deep breaths. If you want company, ask a friend to go with you, if not, go solo but let them know where you’ll be.

MOVEMENT IS MEDICINE
Often, a good shake or conscious flowing movements can help to alleviate tension and anxiety. If you’re comfortable doing so, let the body lead the way as you focus on releasing areas of tension through deliberate movement.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO CALL IT A NIGHT
If none of the above really help to ground you, then do yourself a favour and call it a night. Your body and mind will thank you for it in the long run. Sometimes the best thing you can do is go home and allow yourself to sleep.