Tips to Cope With Anxiety While in Isolation
Firstly accept that you’re anxious.
Anxiety is a natural response that we can all feel during periods of stress, change and uncertainty. It’s what we feel when we’re worried, tense or afraid, especially about things we think could happen in the future.
Anxiety is about threat and danger – real or imagined and these feelings can become irrational or magnified in our minds.
Here are a few relaxation techniques that I practice regularly before and during many of my relaxing facial and massage treatments plus a few ideas for you to try at home to help you cope with feelings of anxiety, worry, unease and nervousness.
1 Breathing Techniques
Focusing on your breathing is something you can do no matter where you are – you can be anywhere to use this relaxation technique.
Think about how your breathing rhythm feels.
Focus on how each breath enters and leaves your body. Doing this for a few moments reminds your brain that at this very moment, you’re safe and there’s no need to be afraid.
You’ll immediately feel more connected to your body and your stress levels will begin to fall.
2 Pressure Points
With your index finger or thumb, apply gentle, firm pressure in a circular motion pressure to the spot between eyebrows. Do this for about 5 or 10 minutes to alleviate stress.
3 Sensory Pleasure
Light an aromatherapy candle or sprinkle some calming essential oils such as Lavender, Rose, Bergamot or Frankincense in a warm bath. Calming oils can help to reduce stress and calm the mind.
4 Visualisation
Visualisation or meditation can help reduce anxiety and lower blood pressure.
Use this technique any time you feel uncertain or afraid. If you have a favourite location or memory associated with feeling relaxed, happy or carefree, then visualise yourself back in that place and focus on what each of your senses is experiencing in that moment.
Here is a visualisation technique you could try:
Visualise yourself lying on a white sandy beach, complete with clear blue skies and gently lapping waves.
While laying on the beach, feel the warmth sun on your skin, a gentle breeze, the sand beneath your hands and between your toes.
Slowly release any feelings of fear, hurt, sadness or anger.
Relax your eyes and continue to breathe while listening to the waves lapping the shore.
5 Gratitude
Starting each day with positive thoughts can have a big impact on your stress and anxiety.
Think of at least 5 positive things that you personally have to be thankful for right now. If you feel yourself beginning to become overwhelmed, focussing on these positive thoughts can lower anxiety.
6 Digital Detox
With so much extra time on our hands, try limiting or completely removing the sources of media that are triggering or fuelling feelings of anxiety.
Instead of social media or the news making you feel connected and reassured, it can make you feel even more anxious and overwhelmed, and when you’re feeling stressed already it can be more difficult to rationalise what you’re seeing or hearing – leading to more anxiety.
7 Exercise and Movement
It doesn’t matter how you move, just do something you love.
Walking in nature, dancing around your living room, yoga – anything that you enjoy doing that gets you moving can release endorphins (happy chemicals in the brain).
Exercise will increase your heart rate, boost your confidence and lift your mood. If you find a way to exercise that you love, it becomes easy to fit into your life instead of being a chore and you’re more likely to do it regularly.
8 Smile
The act of smiling activates the happy chemicals in the brain, benefiting your health and happiness.
Plus there’s the added bonus that you’ll be spreading happiness and positivity too!
9 Talk About How You’re Feeling
If you’re able to, talk to someone you trust about what’s making you anxious or how you’re feeling.
One of the most important aspects of my job as a beauty therapist is actually listening to my clients.
If you aren’t able to open up to someone close to you, there are professionals on the end of the phone that you can call such as Anxiety UK 03444 775 774 or text 07537 416 905.
I hope you’ve found this helpful.