6 Anxiety Management Tips & Reminders

for uncertain times

ANXIETY MANAGEMENT

TIPS & REMINDERSby My Favourite Self

WORRY TIME

MEDITATION

TALK ABOUT IT

CRY

SELF-CARE

FINDALTERNATIVES

Schedule 30 minutes a day to write down everythingyou're worried about. For the rest of the day, tell yourmind to wait with the anxious thoughts until that timeof the day.

Find a quiet space and sit down with your eyes closed for at leastfive minutes every day, preferably in the morning. Focus on yourbreath. Let thoughts come but don't hold on to them. Come backto your breath as soon as you realise you're distracted.

Talk to someone you trust. If you don't feel comfortable with yourfriends and family, call one of the mental health helplinesavailable. In the UK, you can find them here:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines/

Crying is highly underrated. It can help releasetension and overwhelm. No need to feelashamed. Have a good cry and let it all out.

Make your self-care a priority, whatever that meansto you. A bubble bath, Netflix, more sleep, reading,exercise... Remember you can't support your lovedones if you're unwell!

Take time to slow down and do the activities you usuallydon't get to because of your busy life. Get supplies foryour favourite hobbies, if you can. Keeping your mindoccupied this way will help you find a new sense of calm.

Another note...

Limit your social media exposure:Schedule and restrict the time you spend on social mediaand stick to it.Curate your feed and filter out any accounts that triggeryou. You can mute them or unfollow them altogether. Turn off notifications on your phone. Yes, all of them.When you consciously open the apps you use during yourscheduled time, you will still receive all necessaryinformation about the latest developments.

When you text or call your loved ones because you want totalk about the Coronavirus and your struggles or fears, pleasealso consider their mental health. Ask them if they are okaywith talking about it right now. This is you respecting theirboundaries and remember it is okay for you to tell yourfriends and family that you don't want to talk about it now,too.Please stay at home, if you can. This will be over muchsooner, if we can all limit contact with other people as muchas possible.

Panic is even more contagious than any virus, so it's importantto protect yourself from even more anxiety. Here are some tips:

Copyright Patricia Ehrmann, My Favourite Self Ltd, March 2020