Have you been feeling on edge this week? For me, it has been a high-strung week which makes it hard to focus on daily tasks. I’ve dealt with my fair share of anxiety on and off throughout my adult life and have managed to find ways to help me cope. First and foremost, if you feel like you need to talk to a professional or just someone in general, please contact your local hotline. Examples of things that make me feel anxious are life/goal planning, feelings of not doing enough in a day, making a big decision , and the 2020 election. I’m SUCH an over-thinker so, that results in plenty of unnecessary thoughts in my head. Whenever I have a jammed packed day or my to-do list begins to be two full pages, I usually like to try these methods.
No. 1: Music
Who else finds music therapeutic? There is a song out there for every emotion. When I’m in an anxious mood and need to power through difficult tasks, I like to listen to focus or calming music. If you want to try this method, I would suggest playing the music you prefer. Research demonstrates that listening to music you like improves mood and productivity.
No. 2: Deep Breathing
When my thoughts seem all over the place, I turn to deep breathing. I do this in the morning after reviewing my to-do list. After ten deep breaths, I’m ready to go! I think the key to using this practice is letting your mind free of thoughts and to focus on your breathing. Here are a couple of breathing exercises to try. One of them is the 4-7-8 practice. Try one and let me know which is your fav.
No. 3: Nothing
Sometimes stress or anxiety results from energy from T.V., social media, work, family, friends, or in my case, the election. After a long day or week, I like to do nothing, be unreachable, and plan some self-care time. I like anything as self-care that doesn’t require me to think or use my energy too much. Two of my favorite self-care activities are: taking a break from things to get a pedicure or just chilling on my sofa in silence.
A Lil Bit of Everything 