In today's world, managing our stress and anxiety is crucial.
Needless to say, we’re living in times that are indeed strange and more than a little frightening. We’re witnessing events that no one could’ve predicted even a year ago.
Chaos seems to be a big theme these days. It can make anyone feel anxious and concerned about the future and where we’re headed as a society. I share in your feelings and completely empathize.
Today, I’m going to be sharing with you some simple principles and methods that will help keep your anxiety levels in check, and help you focus on what matters most in your life.
First and foremost, get a grasp on what you can and cannot control.
First, you want to get a firm handle on what is in your control, and what is not in your control.
There is a lot of things going on in social media and in the news that can easily increase your anxiety levels. At the core of it all, however, there’s nothing that can really be done regarding what is being reported and what is happening in the world today. Humanity seems to be headed for social changes that could produce some large impacts, but there’s one way that we can ensure that our best interests are being met.
The way to do that is: Control what you can and turn your attention to that, and turn away from what you cannot control.
Go out and exercise. Start a meditation practice if you haven’t already. Connect with family, friends, and other loved ones, even if only via phone calls. As best as you can, increase the level of connections that you have in your life with the people that you love. I passionately believe that relationships are the bedrock of your own personal growth. Especially during this COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever to stay connected as best as we can to those we love. We deserve that much.
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Be mindful of what you're doing and use your time wisely.
Set aside time to expand your mind.
Learn something new. Take up a new skill such as learning how to play guitar, learn some new recipes to make, etc. I would recommend that this be something that can push you a little out of your comfort zone, so you can focus on the learning. Or it can be something that you would have fun doing. This isn’t distraction for distraction’s sake, it’s finding enjoyment in learning and growing as a person. Even if it’s something small, it’s something small that you didn’t know before. Always keep your mind active.
Also, explain to any family that you live with, that you’re taking actions to lower the amount of anxiety that you feel. By doing so, you can possibly plant seeds in their minds to do the same. If some of them are glued to news feeds, encourage them to do something that will take their minds of things, especially if it’s causing them stress. If possible, encourage them put their phones down for a certain amount of time each day. This will enable them to focus on the things in their lives that give them fulfillment. It’s only too easy to get wrapped up in our devices.
Lastly, make sure you’re also taking the time to set down your phone for a set amount of time each day. At a minimum, I would recommend placing your phone down for about half an hour each day, though I would recommend going a bit longer than that, such as one or two hours. You may find yourself being pleasantly surprised by how refreshing it will feel. That simple act alone may help ease any day-to-day stress that you feel.
As Jim Rohn once said, “Stand firm at the gate of your mind.” You can control over what you feed it, by managing what you focus on. Control what you can and be careful to minimize what produces stress in your life. During these unprecedented times, this is more important than ever!
How are you handling fear and anxiety these days? What are your thoughts? Do you have any other ways to lower your stress that weren't touched on? Feel free to comment!