Anxiety peaking? Sleep disturbed?

Whether it be due to your business having to shut down for now, or if you are trying to work from home with the children under your feet bored. I hear you. It is a scary time for a lot of us.

Some are fearful of actually succumbing to the virus themselves or a loved one. Some of us are fearful of how we are going to pay the bills in upcoming weeks and possibly months, before things take on the new normal.

Fear is an emotion we have in response to a real or perceived threat, whereas anxiety is the anticipation of a future threat. We all experience anxiety when faced with stressful situations, like just before a sporting match or an exam. This is normal and it’s our body’s way of preparing us to act in difficult situations. Anxiety can actually help us perform better by helping us feel alert and motivated. But people with an anxiety disorder find that their anxiety gets in the way of their daily life and stops them from achieving their full potential.

I do have some tips on helping yourself get through this time of uncertainty.

1. If you cant go outside – go inside. By this I mean inner reflection. It is a good time to look at what our priorities are. Your own health and the health of loved ones is the usual first thought. Looking at what is truly important to you is a great was of simplifying things in our busy minds.
2. Meditation. You don’t have to be a Buddhist monk and spend many years in a cave to master the benefits of meditation. Meditation can look different to everyone. It may be sitting in front of an alter, or a candle flame. But it can also be sitting in nature in silence. There are some really good apps available to help you get started.
3. Stay connected. Social isolation can be stressful for a lot of people. There are new facebook groups popping up everywhere, including the ‘kindness pandemic’ group. But also groups that are helping others in great need – this is a fantastic way to stay connected and give you a sense of belonging.
4. Remember it is actually okay to express your fears and talk about them. Talk therapy can be with a loved one, a friend via skype / zoom / facetime or a professional therapist. Holding on and suppressing emotions eventually takes its toll on your health.
5. 3 Good Things. Like a gratitude exercise where before going to bed, you sit down and look back at your day. Think of 3 good things that went well for you during the day. Write them down and reflect on them. It doesn’t have to be anything major (but it can be).
6. Focus on the now. Letting your thoughts rush into the future will only add to your stress. What will things look like in 1 day, 1 week, 1 year… ? Instead look at what you can control now – in your own life and your own family and community. Bring your thoughts back into what is within your control.
7. Exercise. Yes, I know there are lots of restrictions at the moment. But we are still allowed to go outside for exercising – just keep your distance from others. Exercise has multi-layered benefits from fresh air, sunshine, increasing circulation, mood lifting and also helps sleep.

Then, if you feel you need more support for stress and anxiety or for those strained adrenals there are lots of beautiful medicinal herbs available to help.

Remember, we are all in this together. And I am available to do consultations on-line if you need more support or a personlised herbal blend.