We are navigating unchartered waters right now, all of us across the world. As much as we all try to remain calm and centred, it is incredibly challenging to remain positive and not dip into anxiety, even if it is just for a moment. It is without doubt a difficult time, but there are ways that we can keep the balance and regenerate what can be a tired energetic system that we hold in ourselves. Below are the commitments that I have made to myself to do. They help me to reconnect when I have stepped into the ‘crazy zone’ and this in turn allows my energetic field to rebalance and I then feel calmer and more at peace within myself.
Meditation is now my first go to. I am a very ‘busy head’ kind of person and meditation allows me to step into a place of calm, even if it’s just for ten minutes. “Meditation is mind without agitation,” says Shrimati Bhanu Narasimhan. And for those of us who say we are too busy to meditate, studies have shown it improves our ability to multitask, so finding that ten minutes a day is worth taking the time out for!
Almost any form of exercise can be a stress reliever. Even if you don’t put yourself in the athletic category, a walk is still beneficial to reducing stress levels. Exercise helps to produce more of our feel-good stress busting chemicals called endorphins. And it has even been claimed that certain types of exercise can be like a meditation in motion, as you begin to tune in to your body’s regular movements and forget about your stress, so reducing anxiety. I am lucky as I have my dog Jelly to walk with, though at the age of ten she’s a little slow and steady so I have started back running which at least gets me out of breath.
My daughter always uses hugs as a way to reduce stress, and she is absolutely right to do so. The hormone oxytocin is released into the bloodstream when you hold someone close, which has been found to lower blood pressure, reduce stress and anxiety, and can even improve your memory! We are definitely fans of hugging in our family.
However, if you aren’t able to hug someone just now, due to Covid, try hugging yourself. Placing your hands crossed over your chest, breathing in deeply can have a calming and nurturing effect. In times like these we must love ourselves and take time to just breathe.
Look for the positives in life. Even in our most stressed out and anxious moments, there will always be something to be grateful for. It is a matter of trying to remain calm and find that positive thought. Keeping a book by the side of your bed and writing down the positive things that happened that day is a fabulous way to end what may have been a stressful day. Even something as small as recognising you had five minutes for a cup of tea, or that you noticed a bird outside your window, is a sign of positivity and seeing beauty in all we do.
And my last top tip to help with stress and anxiety is to take flower essences. These can help to rebalance your emotions, bringing you back from your negative to your positive. Taken regularly throughout times of stress they can help to support you emotionally in times of need. Tranquility is a particular favourite, helping you to feel calm and centred when all around is fast moving. Although I have been taking Peace a lot over the past few months, it is very useful for when you feel overwhelmed and with all that is going on right now that is easy to feel.
The main thing is to love yourself and be kind to ourself. I know that sounds a little cheesy, but would you talk to your friend the way that you talk to yourself? I like to think that you wouldn’t, and I’d hope that when your friend is being stressed and anxious you would take time to calm her down and reassure her. You’d make her a cup of tea and take time to listen.
How about we do that to ourselves?
