How To Keep Your Calm Amidst Uncertainty

Uncertainty can be terrifying; it makes your anxiety go up to 100%. If you're like me, you crave calmness, certainty, routine...

There are all these what-if scenarios running through our heads...fear of catching the disease, fear of our loved ones getting ill. There's also that feeling that you'll lose income, you need to stockpile, and you're stuck indoors all day.

With the Coronavirus pandemic lurking at every corner and filling up all news media outlets and most of the social media platforms, it can be hard to click off and shut it down. And in reality, you shouldn't, because it's a very serious matter.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I am part of the Amazon Affiliates Program, and I make a commission on any qualifying purchase.

Now, there's even more confusion with the vaccines. And even if you're fully vaccinated, things still aren't quite back to normal in many parts of the world. So, it would help if you still took precautions.

Always have hand sanitizer nearby and a mask for protection:

REMAIN BALANCED

If you want to help yourself and your family remain calm and keep your mental health in good condition, you need to do some things to keep yourself busy and to keep your mind away from panic mode. The best advice for staying calm is watching less news and doing something interactive or immersive that takes your mind off problems.

I like to take a magnesium supplement, as it helps me reduce my stress levels.

AFFIRMATIONS

Repeating affirmations daily can help boost your mental wellbeing. They not only help change your mindset from a negative to a positive one, but they influence your subconscious to change and take new actions. Over time, saying these affirmations and practicing gratitude can change your mindset and give you a new outlook on life.

Here's what you need to keep in mind and tell yourself constantly:

• This, too, will pass

• I can get through this

• I am powerful enough to deal with this

• I will do at least one thing that makes me happy each day

• I can focus on my work

• I can find more work

• I am a hard worker

DISTRACTION

Distraction can be a positive thing, especially now, so don't be afraid to stay distracted...

Here are some ideas in a list form of things to help you keep your cool & your mind busy with other things to help get you through isolation and social distancing practices.

1. Rain ASMR - (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q76bMs-NwRk)

2. Listen to relaxing Jazz - (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR-I1iwXtvo)

3. 5-minute meditation - (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inpok4MKVLM)

4. 10-minute workout (easy) - (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEAeMQhFgE8)

5. Take some online courses on Udemy.com

6. Take a virtual tour of the British Museum - (https://britishmuseum.withgoogle.com/)

7. Check out the Musee D'Orsay in Paris with famous artwork - (https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/musee-dorsay-paris?hl=en)

8. Start writing something - Get writing prompts here (https://becomeawritertoday.com/writing-prompts-free/)

9. Cook simple and easy recipes with few ingredients - (https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/easy-dinner-ideas/)

Try these easy 5 ingredient recipes. I honestly love making quick meals that don't require more than 5 ingredients. I've been a fan of Jamie Oliver's recipes for years. (affiliate link)

10. Play board games or put together a 1000+ piece puzzle - (https://www.zazzle.com/fjord_norway_landscape_jigsaw_puzzle-116004214598671396)

OK, these are just a few options, and you'll find plenty more online but try to remember that this will eventually pass, and we will be okay!

So say goodbye to quarantine boredom!

PRACTICE YOGA

I'm a beginner when it comes to yoga. I've started dabbling with it about a year ago, but now I try to do it as often as possible. It's really helping me move my body since I'm mostly writing and working in bed all day. Since I can't go out too often, I like to do simple yoga for beginners. It gets the blood flowing, and honestly, you don't even need special equipment besides a yoga mat.

You can easily find yoga for beginner videos for free on Youtube. Or, if you want, you can get some fun yoga pose flashcards that teach you all about each pose.

I also like to wear some comfy workout sets that don't restrict my movement, as yoga does test your flexibility!

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HOW TO STAY CALM UNDER PRESSURE: BREATHWORK

When you're under pressure, staying calm is harder than ever.

Here is the one thing you have to learn and practice to try to keep your cool and stay calm:

Breathing exercises or breathwork: this involves controlling your breathing and being conscious of each breath you take. Start with one big deep breath. This triggers the body and tells it to stop releasing those stress hormones. Breathing also distracts your mind from worrying thoughts and panic mode. The key to deep breathing is to take a deep breath through your nose and slowly release it through the mouth. It's all about breathing slowly to give the body time to calm itself.

For me, deep breathing is a challenge not only because I have deviated septum and chronic stuffy nose but because I rarely take the time to practice breathwork. Each breathing session should take at least a couple of minutes, but you should aim for about 10 minutes a day to see real change.

There's a fascinating book called Breathwork: How to Use Your Breath to Change Your Life, and it's full of exercises and breathing techniques. It's full of illustrations, tips, techniques, and all of the science behind breathwork, and I think it's worth a read!

#anxiety #coronavirus #anxietyrelief