06 Jan 5 Things You Can Do When Anxiety Hits!
Fighting the Brain Game
1. Ground Yourself
This is more powerful than you realise especially when your trying to keep your anxiety at bay. Have to be honest sometimes you feel like a wanker but the effects out way the feeling every single time. There’s a couple of different ways you can do it. My favourite is shoes off and feet firmly planted on lawn, beach, dirt, on the earth but I realise not everyone gets that option. Sometimes we’re surrounded by a concrete jungle so the next best thing to do is to sit on a backed chair and put both feet firmly on the ground. Place your hands by your side holding the chair or tuck them under your thighs. Or alternatively lay down on the floor/ground. The goal is for your body to feel 100% physically supported and firmly grounded. Often when anxiety hits it comes in waves and your head feels floaty. I’ve found grounding creates the illusion that I’m solid and stable, that life is right where it needs to be.
2. Meditation/Square Breathing
The thing that changed my life, especially in regards to my anxiety. There’s so many ways your can mediate but I’ve found Square Breathing to be the most effective when I’m in the midst of a panic attack. Inhale the deepest breaths of your day, right down into your belly. Breath in for 4 slow counts, hold at the top for 4, exhale for 4, then hold at the bottom for 4. Repeat at least 6-8 times. Visualise a square shape as you go through this, it helps. There’s also plenty of online guided meditations or apps that can help you also. Find what works for you, it’s certainly given me a lot of peace over the past couple of years. As you know, we take whatever we can!
3. Hash it Out!
If I’m in the thick of it, my breathing peaking, the panic is starting to set in, I pick up the phone. I call my husband, I call my girlfriend. Both are my rocks. Sometimes I hash it out with them, sometimes I call them and talk absolute crap. Sometimes all I need is a distraction, gets me back on track. I’m a talker, a professional conversationalist haha, I looooove a chat. It’s annoying it times, I know this but it’s the way I learn and when shit goes down it’s my comfort. I’ve never been too proud to show that I’m not coping with life, I wear my heart on my sleeve, I share my challenges, always have and always will. I decided a long time ago to always speak my truth, it can be harsh sometimes, it can be beautiful sometimes but being like this helps me sleep at night. No lies, no regrets.
4. Pound the Pavement/Move Your Body
As you’ve heard me waffle on before physical movement is the key to many mindful matters. Our bodies are designed to move. We need to move them regularly unless we’re restricted of course. The movement detoxes the crap out of us, gets the endorphins flowing, calms the mind and increases our health all at once. Personally every time I’ve felt the wave of anxiety hit, one of the first things I do is lace up the sneakers and hit the pavement. Often between sweating it out and the endorphins my mindset changes and without fail I feel better instantly. Take 5 mins, take 50 mins, take whatever you need, give yourself some peace.
5. Write it Down
Best form of therapy you can get I reckon. Get all the s*it out of your head. Write it down, break it down, swear, release, let it all go. If someone’s upset you write them a letter (burn it after or send it, your choice) or emotions take over express it in a journal. Often there’s a reason your feeling anxious, even if your not quite sure what it’s about. Personally I’ve found writing it all out and putting it into the universe is like releasing it to someone else. Expelling it from your physical body. Sounds a little woo woo I know but that’s what it feels like to me. Write it all out but try to finish it with at least three things your grateful for. Create the balance and end nicely. If there’s something that really ticks you off, light the s*it on fire!! Burn it safely of course.
Well I hope I’ve shared some light on what seems like a dark place. Keep fighting the brain game people, keep believing in yourselves and keep choosing living. Love the life you live!!
Keep shining bright!
Thanks for reading!!
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Love and Light
Kelley 😘😘
