I think everyone suffers from a little anxiety, some more than others, and many without reason. I personally suffer from the explainable anxiety, as well as the hole in the pit of my stomach in times when I can find no answer to the darkness.
I am anxious about what is going on in the world right now, and what the future looks like. I am afraid of the outcome of this virus, and the hate surrounding us every day. Just the other day I watched a movie about a familiar animated female Native American I have felt a connection with since I was a child. The white men invade North America, and they claim it for their own. In that movie, when the chief (the lead character’s father) stands to lead his people against these invaders, he says, “These white men are dangerous,” and it cuts me to the core. I started crying uncontrollably. There is so much that we don’t know about each other, and our hearts are hardened against others different from ourselves. I am anxious about that. I am sad about that. I am angry about that.
Right now my personal anxiety is due largely to the fact that I don’t really know how the world is accepting my truth. My family and friends are supportive, but I am writing a blog that seems to have no followers, and I am finding it difficult to market my book. I thought the hard part was over. Writing and illustrating my book was fun! Publishing was stressful, but I made it through. Now I deal with the issue of getting it out in the world and into the hands of those who really need it. So, I stress about my book and the path it will travel.
I interviewed a group of people who deal with anxiety every day, and they gave me some helpful tips that you may want to try. Here are their suggestions:
~Deep, focused breathing
~Meditation
~Yoga
~Essential oils
~Movement/exercise
~Shift your focus and replace anxious thoughts with positive ones
~Create a powerful happy place/situation to control
~Be productive
~Call a friend
~Weighted blanket
~Tv, music, or fan helping to sleep/distraction
~Check off To-Do list
~Stabile, consistent routine
~Perhaps medication
~Mindfulness
These people are reliable sources. I recommend giving a few if not all of these activities a try and see what works best for you!
I recommend taking a break from reading the news. Right now, it can be extremely uncomfortable and definitely a cause of great anxiety. Be well, and stay safe!
—SJB