Anxiety has had a profound effect on me for most of my life and continues to massively impact my health.
Alongside this, my work has enabled me to see the vast ways in which anxiety affects the lives of many.
Now, during the Covid-19 lockdown, understanding and managing anxiety feels more relevant than ever.
Anxiety is our natural bodily response to stress. It’s fear or apprehension about what has happened, or what is to come. Everyone feels it at some point - it doesn't mean there's something wrong with you.
The external factors which cause stress are different for everyone from work, to finances and relationships. The way in which people respond to stress is also very individualised but symptoms can include:
•Feeling extremely nervous/restless
•Increased heart rate
•Sweating
•Trembling
•Intrusive thoughts
•Rapid breathing
•Fatigue
•Memory loss
Failing to manage your stress, can lead to burnout. I've experienced this far too many times for my liking, and it's led to be hospitalised an unable to run my business as normal.
Here's some signs that you might be hitting that 'burnout' point:
•You dread waking up in the morning and facing the day
•You constantly feel tired and lethargic
•You work long hours assuming it will make you more productive
•You feel negative and find it hard to find the positives in your life
•You feel overwhelmed
•You’ve lost your confidence and sense of self esteem
•You feel irritable
•You don’t want to go out or do things you usually enjoy
•You feel detached from your feelings
Here's some reduction methods that may be useful in managing stress and anxiety
•Aromatherapy
•Breathing Exercises
•Moving – yoga, stretch, run, dance
•Journal
•Clear space-clear mind
•Time in nature
•Bring the outdoors in
•Sleep log
•Responsible for time management
•Bed time routine
•Morning routine
•Face things and make a plan. Don’t bury your head in the sand
•Remind yourself of why your started and what motivates you
•Mindful eating
•Take breaks and get sufficient rest
•Learn to say no
•View mistakes as lessons
Taking time for yourself to reflect, de-stress and practice self love is of optimium importance - always. Perhaps this lockdown has just shown us this need.
Take Care!
Love Always,
Blairo x