Handling Anxiety
- Write it down. Acknowledging your worry takes away its obsessive power, so make a list of what’s bugging you.
- Say a prayer. Ask whatever deity or creative force or what/whoever you believe in for help, patience, and the strength to get through your troubles.
- Do something. Clean out your closet, reorganize a room, write a letter or make a phone call you’ve been putting off. You’ll feel better just getting something done.
- Read. A great book, something way out of this world, uplifting or funny can really take your mind off of your own troubles.
- Take a break. For 10 – 15 minutes sit with your eyes closed in a quiet spot. Mentally make a list of the blessings in your life: good health, plenty of food in the fridge, friends and family, nice weather, anything that you can think of.
- Take a walk or exercise. Movement is action. Exercise can clear the mind and raise endorphin levels. Getting into the sun w ill raise your spirits as well. This is very very important and often overlooked. For more information about this please see my book: Caregiver Revolution
- Let it go. For a day or even a few hours, do something that you enjoy. Try to refresh your mind and see things in a new light. Don’t worry, your problems will still be there when you get back!
- Ask for help. Ask your spouse, friend, sibling, internet buddy or an helper at a public agency for ideas on how to get past the obstacles in your life. It’ll give you a new perspective and will remind you that others have gotten through the same problems before.
Remember, if you can put aside your mental chatter even for a moment you will experience your true nature, pure awareness. This is the same state that you experience when you are concentrating on something, enjoying yourself in an activity, or watching a child play. Time seems to disappear. You are stress free…for the moment!
