Relief from Anxiety
- Jayne Balke
- Jul 25, 2016
- 4 min read
You know that needling feeling in your gut that accompanies an approaching deadline? The sorry twitch that niggles your eye when you've forgotten something important? The sudden increase in personal ticks, like pulling your hair, or rubbing your face, or wringing your hands when you've been tossed into an uncomfortable situation?
Imagine those feelings all the time, at varying degrees of strength. Can you picture it?
That's what it's like to live with anxiety.
I'm a firm believer that society has a generally misguided idea of what anxiety is, including what it's like to struggle with it. I've lived with it and I still don't understand all of it. I think untreated, it can be debilitating to your health and quality of life. Unchecked, and you run the risk of being perpetually miserable (sometimes completely unaware that you are).
Keeping in mind that I'm not a doctor nor a psychologist - I'm simply someone who fights with this on a daily basis - I'd like to offer some advice to those who may feel crippled by this and perhaps need a nudge in a new direction.
Commit to regular R & R. Never underestimate the power of some chill time. The length could differ, but it's vital to set aside a portion of your day to relax. Find a quiet spot where you can listen to the breeze or bathe in the sun. Have a 45 minute nap. Lay on a park bench or picnic rug. Or if you work indoors, step outside for a breather. It's amazing how much better you'll feel if you rest regularly.
Have a hobby. For me, this was always writing (until it was tainted, but you can read about that in my other blog post). For others, it could be craft, or sport, or reading. If you're stuck for hobby ideas, there are bunches on Pinterest you can look at - and a lot of them are super easy and don't cost the earth. I've found having a hobby gives you a distraction from your worries. It busies your hands and rewards you with a sense of accomplishment once you're done. PRO TIP: Colouring in is fabulous. If you haven't joined the bandwagon, do so. Buy a cheap colouring in book and pencils from Big W and colour for 30 mins. When I'm mega stressed, this relaxes me immeasurably.
Exercise. I know, this one makes me groan too. But if you could set aside your distaste for a second and hear me out, then maybe you'll recognise why this will help you greatly. I spent years hating exercise. Partly because I'm terribly uncoordinated, but mostly because I dislike becoming a heaving, stinky, sweaty mess. I'd much prefer to lounge around in my pyjamas and eat Black Forest chocolate. That's all well and good, but when you do that for an extended period of time it starts to wear on you. You gain weight, your face breaks out, your joints and muscles are stiff and sore. This is a breeding ground for anxious thoughts. Getting out, going for a 15 minute walk, doing a gym sesh, taking a swim or bike ride - these actions will shield you from an onslaught of agitated and unsettled emotions. It may not destroy them completely, but it will keep them at bay. I only do four 30-minute gym sessions a week, and an hour walk on Sunday with my bestie. That exercise makes work more bearable, supplies me with energy I need to deal with difficult customers, and - once again - distracts me from my worries. Give it a go. Nobody said you have to run a marathon. A tiny walk around the block each day will suffice.
Break tasks into bite-size pieces. This is probably the most difficult battle I've encountered in my journey. I loathe being unable or unwilling to complete tasks. Occasionally my anxiety reaches a point where it nearly strangles me, and that's usually related to a half-finished task. May I remind you that no task (regardless of size, importance or deadline) should cause you enough stress that it breaks you. If you have a large problem to tackle, then break it into manageable pieces. Focus on completing the easiest parts first. Delegate aspects of it to your team mates. Above all, tell someone (your manager, supervisor, lecturer) if it's too big for you to handle. Previously I've been unable to do this, and I felt wretched when the task wasn't done. Don't let your need for control or your pride stop you from asking for help.
Treat yourself. Buy that packet of Red Rock Deli chips you've been eyeing (Honey Soy Chicken flavour of course, because it's the best). Indulge in Gold Class tickets with someone you love. Shop your heart out with some retail therapy and definitely buy those heels you've been salivating over. Take a week off and head to the coast. Have a massage. Get your nails done. Go camping. Life shouldn't revolve around your anxiety. Anxiety needs to take a backseat (or better yet, get shoved in the boot). To ensure it doesn't take over your world, you should pamper yourself. In treating yourself like the goddess or superhero you are, then you will begin to view yourself that way - and anxiety has no place next to confidence.
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