Let’s face it: 2020 has been one hell of a year. This year has not been an easy one for anyone by any stretch of the imagination. And, we still have some time left before 2020 passes the baton over to 2021. I’ve shared previously how uncertain this year has been and how exhausting not knowing is. I’ve shared how challenging it is to remain optimistic when everything and everyone is shifting around you.
What do you do in uncertain times? What do you do when you just don’t know what to do? What do you do when job security isn’t so secure anymore, loved ones are transitioning at increasing and alarming rates, and the world as we know it has literally come crumbling down – socially, financially, physically, mentally, and emotionally? What do we do when everything we know is no longer? This has been the experience for so many people and it will be this way for a while. Welcome to the new normal. And yet, even with the dark clouds and distant silver linings, there is a silver lining in all of it. That we can believe in. That we can rest in. Stay with me for a bit as I offer some insights and 5 tips for managing stress and anxiety.
I’ve often heard it said that when one is experiencing depression, they’re lamenting and holding on to the past. When someone is experiencing anxiety, they’re living in the future. Both scenarios keep us from the gold found in the present moment; the place upon which we stand now. 2020 has rocked us all in ways we couldn’t have possibly imagined. It’s uprooted our plans and has given us a wake-up call in its place.
With so much uncertainty, it’s easy to get caught up in the “what if” game, which if not carefully observed, will have us tossing back and forth in a mental spiral of worry, stress, strain, and more. To add to that, we’re entering what is one of the most stressful times of the year for many people – holiday season. If there’s ever a time to pull out and practice all of your self-care and grounding rituals, now is it. Below, I share a few tips that I hope will help you come back to the gift of now, no matter what’s begging for your attention in the offing.
5 Tips for Managing Stress and Anxiety
1. Be OK with not being OK
When stress and anxiety greet us, it’s second-nature sometimes to bypass and affirm our way through the feelings and experiences. But how helpful is this? Is doing so creating lasting shifts in your life or serve more as a temporary fix, only to resurface later? When you’re not feeling your best, it’s OK to acknowledge that this is your current reality. It’s OK to be with what you’re feeling and feel it all. This doesn’t mean you are to be consumed by it, no. It does mean, however, that you can learn from it. Every emotion and experience has something to teach us – whether good, bad, or indifferent. When you’re feeling anxious and stressed, inquire into what these experiences are telling you. What can you learn and what’s there for you to re-align?
2. Pace yourself and ASK for assistance (help)
Remember, one of the causes of anxiety is looking into and attempting to figure out the future. Although it’s normal to want to plan, your planning shouldn’t come at the expense of your present peace of mind and happiness. A great practice to incorporate to help circumvent and manage stress and anxiety …
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