How to deal with anxiety about a tattoo regret?

This blog answers question: How to deal with anxiety about a tattoo regret? What are the ways to lower tattoo regrets? What is Anxiety? What are the signs and symptoms of anxiety? What are some ways to manage anxiety? What are the therapy options for anxiety?

How to deal with anxiety about a tattoo regret?

Some tips to deal with a tattoo regret are:

Give yourself some time

The best way to deal with anxiety about a tattoo regret is to give yourself some time. Many times, individuals might show a sense of regret initially after getting a tattoo done, however, giving some time for the experience to absorb can help individuals process it better and their regret and resulting anxiety might fade away eventually.

Cover up

It might take some time for individuals to get used to seeing a tattoo on their skin due to which the amount of anxiety and regret that they experience also keeps relapsing during the initial phase.

To experience lower levels of stress during the initial period individuals can also try and cover the part of the body that they got tattooed for a while until they get used to their tattoos or find a way to remove it.

Speak to a friend

Another way individuals can reduce their anxiety about a tattoo regret is by speaking to a friend who shares similar experiences. Talking to a friend about their experience of getting a tattoo and possible regret can help an individual feel less stressed and give them a sense of company.

Speaking to a friend can also help them understand various ways in which they can deal with their tattoo regret and make mindful decisions about it.

Talk to a specialist

Talking to a tattoo specialist and finding out ways about how to deal with tattoo regrets or what are the possible removal options can put an individual at ease.

Seek professional help

In extreme cases where individuals experience increasing levels of anxiousness and regret due to their tattoo, can seek professional help to replace their negative thoughts with more positive ones until they find out a solution to get rid of their tattoo for good.

What are the ways to lower tattoo regrets?

Some ways to reduce an individual’s chances of regretting a tattoo are:

• Consider the location for your tattoo
• Be sure about the style of the tattoo
• Talk to people with a tattoo before you get one done.
• Be aware of the possible tattoo removal options.
• Stay away from the “tattooer’s curse” Which is the hesitation many tattoo artists feel when they are asked to tattoo a lover’s name for fear of cursing the relationship.
• Do not compare your tattoos to other similar tattoos.
• Visit and consult several tattoo specialists before deciding on one for your tattoo

What is Anxiety?

Problems and resulting stress are usually accompanied by some common emotions like confusion, feeling at the edge, a sense of helplessness, and recurrent negative thoughts which can collectively be seen as an individual experiencing what’s commonly called  Anxiety. 

Every human has their unique ways of dealing with these difficult situations and the following emotions, some try to adapt to the circumstances and find the best and most comfortable solution while others try to find an escape route for the same, in both cases the main aim is usually to get over the uncomfortable emotions of anxiety. 

What are the signs and symptoms of anxiety? 

Anxiety is characterized by a set of signs and symptoms such as:

 

• Sweating
• Difficulty in breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Sense of choking
• Complaints of chest pain
• Shaking or trembling
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness or Lightheadedness
• Fear of losing control over oneself and their environment
• Fear of impending doom
• Hot or cold flashes
• Tingling or numbness
• Increased heart rate

What are some ways to manage anxiety?

Identify and acknowledge the triggers

The most significant strategy that can be used to control one’s anxiety is by identifying and acknowledging those triggers.

Being able to recognize what makes an individual anxious makes them better equipped to take action.

Relaxation techniques

 

Even though anxiety can be bought under an individual’s control it cannot be predicted. In such situations, it is necessary that an individual actively carries out relaxation techniques.

These might include meditation, yoga, and deep breathing which helps to reduce the intensity of anxiety within a short period.

Socialization

 

A key to reducing the frequency and intensity of anxiety attacks could be spending time with close family and friends.

The kind of emotional and practical support provided by these social and personal groups help the person feel connected and aid in distracting one’s mind from negative and recurring thoughts that lead to anxiety.

Apart from friends and families, individuals can also consider speaking to groups of people that are experiencing similar problems.

Set realistic goals

When an individual is feeling overwhelmed, setting goals and targets keeping in mind priorities can help resolve overwhelming feelings of fear or panic.

Setting goals provides structure and routine to an individual’s life reducing space for uncertainty which can be a major trigger for anxiety in many cases.

Take up new challenges

Apart from doing activities that an individual is usually fond of and has expertise in, trying new and challenging activities that put an individual outside their comfort zone in a healthy manner may help reduce the stress and anger temporarily.

Signing up for new activities also provides a path to meeting people with similar stories and concerns.

Lifestyle changes

An individual’s lifestyle plays a major role in their experience of anxiety. An unhealthy and busy lifestyle usually leads to unhealthy eating, lack of exercise, lack of adequate sleep.

A combination of a well-set diet, exercise, and sleep can help to regulate an individual’s mood and equip them with a favorable coping mechanism.

These coping mechanisms in turn help to get control over once anxiety concerns in a more adaptable manner.

lack of proper diet, sleep, and exercise can make an individual sluggish, dependent, moody and vulnerable to anxiety attacks.

Making journal entries

Last but not least having a journal to write down how a person is feeling and thinking when they are anxious helps them to reflect upon their thoughts and feelings.

Putting down one’s thoughts and feelings onto a paper helps to provide a sense of temporary relief.

In the case of journal entry, a person does not even have to fear being judged by another person regarding their thoughts and feelings.

What are the therapy options for anxiety?

Cognitive-behavioural therapy

Cognitive-behavioural therapy helps an individual to control their anxiety by using strategies like relaxation and breathing. It works on the principles of replacing negative thoughts with positive ones.

Exposure therapy

Exposure therapy is a kind of therapy in which an individual is exposed to a particular stimulus that they usually fear or are anxious about in a graded order.

As and when the individual gets comfortable with the situation or stimulus introduced or exposed to them with each session, individuals get more comfortable with a real-life situation that might have otherwise been a source for triggering anxiety.

Group therapy

 

It is based on the principle that when an individual interacts with other people who are suffering from the same fears they might not feel left alone or isolated. Group therapy usually involves a group of individuals who are experiencing similar symptoms and problems.

Medication

Anxiety can also be treated with the help of medication prescribed by a health care professional.

Though medication alone cannot help in reducing persistent anxiety it can help in restoring a sense of control and bring temporary relief. 

Online therapy  

In cases where reaching out physically to a professional is impossible or discomforting an individual can opt to seek help through the online medium. 

In this, the therapy sessions are carried out one-to-one over a video or audio call. Some individuals also prefer interacting with the therapist through text as well due to various reasons. One of the most common is the fear of being judged by the therapist or some personal hesitation. 

Online therapy can help individuals to regulate some aspects of their anxiety that aids individuals in carrying out a stress-free life over time

Frequently asked questions: How to deal with anxiety about a tattoo regret?

Is it normal to be anxious after getting a tattoo?

It is normal to feel a sense of regret in the initial few days or even months after getting a tattoo. These feelings can be caused due to various personal and environmental factors.

Is there a tattoo for anxiety?

The word “breathe” is commonly symbolized as a mark of anxiety. this type of tattoo is also considered a good option for individuals with depression or a combination of anxiety disorder and mood disorder.

How do I get over my fear of getting a tattoo?

Some tips that individuals can use to get over their fears of getting a tattoo are:

• Take breaks
• Use distractions
• Ask for numbing cream
• Be well aware of your artist
• Be open with the idea of the tattoo not looking good

Why do I regret my tattoo?

Many individuals regret their tattoos due to various reasons. Individuals must understand the various reasons that are leading with this rig threat and tackle them mindfully.

Citations

https://www.healthline.com/health/tattoo-regret#coping-with-regret

https://www.tattoodo.com/articles/sit-back-relax-ultimate-guide-on-how-to-handle-tattoo-anxiety-4284