HOW VOGUE TACKLES HER ANXIETY

1 BREATHE When I feel an anxiety attack coming on – usually it starts with stomach pain for me – I try to take ten minutes to meditate or just take deep breaths. I focus on trying to calm myself. This trick works for me: imagine you’re breathing in a white light and when you exhale, imagine you’re blowing out black smoke. It might sound odd but it focuses my mind on the task and makes me feel calmer.

2 BE MINDFUL It’s important to make space in your daily life for mindfulness – time for yourself, when you do absolutely nothing but be in the moment. I’ve tried meditating with apps and to music, but I either fall asleep or my brain keeps going a million miles an hour. The best way for me to be mindful is by doing yoga. I don’t do it as often as I should, but it’s a light workout and it calms me down. Whatever works for you – it’s important to give yourself at least ten minutes every day where you do absolutely nothing and just relax.

3 TALK ABOUT IT I visit a counsellor when I’m in Ireland and speak to her on the phone regularly too. This definitely helps. It’s a lot easier to discuss things with an unbiased person who isn’t judging you or won’t get upset the way a family member or friend might at seeing you in pain.

4 EAT RIGHT A nutritionist gave me good advice on how what I eat and drink can affect my body’s response to anxiety. Caffeine is a no-no and alcohol can trigger anxiety the following day. But I do enjoy socialising and having a drink with friends, so when I’m not feeling the best the next day I live on camomile tea. I also take magnesium twice a day and do my best to eat healthily. It all helps, if only a little.

5 WORK IT OUT The biggest helper for me is exercise. Everyone knows exercise can lift your mood and this is one reason why it occupies such a pivotal role in my life. Plus, while it makes you feel good it makes you look good, too.