Hello everybody 😀
This week I’m going to give you some advice that can help you to manage feeling anxious 🙂
As I said in the post last week talking to a trusted person can help as well as finding out what triggers your anxiety. For example trying to figure out what situations may cause you to go into avoidance (for example, not showing up to an exam, presentation etc.).
Instead of putting yourself down for all the things you may be not doing or not able to do, focus on the things that you have already accomplished or focus on future goals.
In general do your mind and body some good, try to have a regular sleep schedule and try to plan your days. Schedule your working time and plan breaks in between!
Also look what you put in your body. Substances like alcohol, caffeine or nicotine tend to make anxiety worse.
And listen to your body and mind! Take a break if you need it and do something you enjoy. Could be doing some exercise, connecting with friends and/or family, go on a walk, listen to music or engage in a hobby that you enjoy 🙂
Breathing exercises can also be of great help if you are starting to feel overwhelmed. Try to inhale for seven seconds, hold it for four seconds then exhale for seven seconds and hold for three seconds and repeat until you feel you have calmed down.
Another thing you can do is the 5,4,3,2,1 method as I like to call it. Focus on 5 things you can see, then focus on 4 things you can feel, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell and 1 thing you can taste. It can also help to talk out loud what you can see, feel, hear, smell and taste. For the last two you can also imagine your favorite taste or smells. This gives your mind a sense of control and reassurance when you feel anxious.
Next Friday will be all about direct actions you can take that can be helpful in relieving anxiety.
Until then, maybe some of these points can help you to make it better 🙂
Dolores
Image by Wokandapix from Pixabay
