How To Manage Your Anxiety

These are uncertain times. The number of unknowns is enough to make anyone feel uneasy. As we spend more time inside, less time with our friends and family, and are given time for our minds to stress about "what may be", it's easy for us to start feeling anxious.

While we cannot control what is going on around us, we can control our reaction to the situation. This starts with managing our feelings. We hope these five tips on how to manage your anxiety will help!

#1 Acknowledge Your Feelings

Feeling anxious is hard. But, getting frustrated or angry with yourself for feeling anxious is only going to make it worse. Take some time to sit with your feelings. How does your body feel? What thoughts flit through your mind? Did you notice any triggers? It's important to remember that you are not your feelings; you are the one who experiences them, yes, but there is a separation between you and the feelings of anxiousness.

#2 Get Outside

While practicing social distancing, this is a great opportunity to spend more time in nature! Take your dog for a walk, go for a hike, lay in the sunshine, practice yoga on the front lawn, or whatever would bring you joy. The Vitamin D will do your body good and the fresh air will soothe your soul!

If nothing else, open your doors and windows a few times each day so you aren't sitting in stale air!

#3 Prioritize Your Nutrition 

It may seem like a good idea to start having a glass or two of wine with lunch, a few extra cookies in the afternoon or ordering takeout every evening, but try to avoid falling into unhealthy habits. As of right now, we don't know how long we are going to be asked to stay home. It's important that we stick to our typical way of eating, stay well hydrated and continue taking our vitamins. The best thing we can do for our minds is keep our bodies healthy and happy!

#4 Reach Out

Just because we can't see people in person doesn't mean we can't stay in touch! Schedule video chats with your girlfriends, call your family members to check on them, text your friends as you normally would, take up writing snail mail to loved ones! We are incredibly lucky to have so many ways of contacting people nowadays. Get creative with the ways you keep in touch!

#5 Move Your Body

Keep a regular schedule and block off time to workout. Whether you're stretching, practicing yoga, following a body weight workout or going for a run or hike outdoors, move your body! The endorphins will keep both your body and mind happy.

Above All, Be Kind

It takes nothing for us to be kind to one another. If you are in a position where you can help someone, please do. If you are in need of help, please reach out!

Let's view this pandemic as an opportunity for us, as humans, to do better. Let's be kinder and more patient with each other. Let's do away with our self absorbed, selfish ways of yesterday and move forward with love and compassion. Resetting the way the world works does not have to be a complete tragedy. Let's make the most of it, together, and do better from this moment on.