While anxiety isn’t always a bad thing, living day in and day out with uncertainty can take a huge toll. Now three months into a worldwide pandemic, I’ve noticed clients getting restless in new ways.
People are reporting things such as:
- Extreme fatigue
- Going from one extreme to another (with feelings, moods, habits, sleep patterns, etc.)
- Not knowing who they can trust outside their immediate circle of support
- Feeling less hopeful about the future
- Restlessness
The list goes on!
The underlying theme I see is “how do I live with this uncertainty?”
While dealing with uncertainty, one of the best things to do is focus on what you do have control over. How you think, how you respond, and the things you do are within your control.
1. Revamp your self-care routines.
I don’t know how many times I’ve said this but it bears repeating…now is the time for “self-care on steroids.” What has worked for you before may not be working, or not working as well. Take a look at what is working and do more of that. And whatever isn’t working, let it go (at least for now) and find others things.
2. Focus on health rather than illness.
Assuming you and your loved ones are healthy, now is the time to focus on that health and increase that health. Look at your nutrition and exercise habits and see if anything needs tweaking.
3. Relax your mind, body, and soul.
If you do not have a relaxation regimen, now’s the time to get one. And if you do, now’s the time to increase or add to it. High stress creates both mental and physical exhaustion. Gentle exercise (stretching, yoga, tai chi, etc.) can help the body release physical tension. Meditation can help the mind release mental tension.
4. Laugh.
Do not underestimate the power of laughter. It’s not only a great source of physical release, it’s a great way to instantly uplift your mood. Having fun is more important now than ever.
5. Plan for the future.
While it may seem like the future (as you want it) will never get here, it’s still important to plan, visualize, and act as if it’s coming. It may look different than what you can imagine right now. But that’s okay. The mere act of planning your next vacation, project, party, or other event can be a great boost.
6. Schedule “me time.”
Whether you live alone or have a lot of others around you, it’s important to prioritize yourself. Make time to do something that will light you up. It could be at home, in your backyard, or across town. It could involve pampering, or a hobby, or some quiet time to reflect.
As I tell my clients, there is no “one size fits all” technique or approach to combating anxiety. You must learn what works for you and adapt. Try something new and look at it as an experiment. If it doesn’t work, try something else.
Are you stuck and nothing seems to be working, or just want some extra support right now? It might be time to seek help from a licensed mental health professional.
I’ve got nearly 20 years of experience helping people deal with all kinds of anxiety. If you’re a woman residing in Arizona, I invite you to schedule a free 15-minute phone consult with me to see how I might help. Simply click on the BOOK FREE CONSULT button and let’s connect.
