I have been dealing with anxiety for the past couple of years, like so many people around the world. Mental health disorders have skyrocketed since the start of 2020-with extreme measures such as lockdowns and mandates it left so many people in the dark during such an uncertain time. For some of us, it feels as though we are headed down a trajectory that we have all been fearing.
I have never encountered anxiety or depression during my lifetime, but in June 2021, I had a significant mental decline. We were in a very strict lockdown in Sydney that prohibited us from being able to see friends and after having a baby, it was very difficult for me. Also, the fear of the future and the unknown of where things were headed had really taken a hold of me.
To be honest, I am still dealing with it. I can feel the world we once knew changing at a rapid pace and, to me, it is terrifying. I feel that my fear of the future is exasperated, especially as a mother-it’s not just you you’re thinking of anymore, but the future of your children. The effects of the last few years will not just go away, they will be significantly impactful for generations to come. Therefore, it is more important than ever that we take extra care to look after ourselves and connect with other mamas who share the same values. Remember, you are not alone-there are SO many of us feeling this way.
Below are a few things I have been doing to help my anxiety-I hope you can take away some tips that can help you too.
Work Your Mind and Body with Meditation & Movement
My morning practice is a non-negotiable for me. I have to start my morning by moving my body. Whether it’s a run, a pilates session or yoga, I do something every morning, even if I only have 30 minutes to spare. On top of moving my body, getting my head in the right space for the day with meditation is also a must for me. I love using the app Insight Timer-there are so many great meditations on there that you can choose from. I aim to do at least a 10-minute meditation every morning and on days I take an afternoon snooze I always put on a meditation track on in the background. I have learned that getting myself in the right headspace takes discipline. Like everything else in life, we need to exercise mental discipline daily. I am also practising not responding immediately to things that trigger me. Things I read or see that in the past would have sent me into an emotional mess, again this is something I am working on, absorbing things but not reacting immediately, trusting the process and keeping my faith in humanity.
Experiment with Herbal Adaptogens
Adaptogens are tonic herbs that help the body adapt to certain types of stress- bringing the body into balance by regulating the endocrine and nervous systems. Essentially, bringing homeostasis to the functioning of the body. I take a supplement morning and night that is a blend of ashwagandha, Siberian ginseng, gotu kola, holy basil, and rhodiola. I notice a significant difference when I take these to my overall emotional stability-it has been a game changer for me. There are so many adaptogens out there and some work better for certain people than others, so if this is an area of interest for you I would recommend seeing a herbalist who specializes in adaptogens to help you add these medicines to your daily routine.
Connect with Like-Minded people
This has been a lifesaver for me, especially moving into a new country at a very tumultuous time when certain people were actively discriminated against. It’s funny how in times of division, you seem to naturally attract people who are like-minded. When I opened myself up, I found a beautiful community of moms and dads who were just like my family and me. We all share the same values and understand each other more deeply about what is happening in the world. It has been a huge lifesaver to me to feel accepted by such amazing people, to open up, feel no judgement, be 100% authentic with who I am, and not be ashamed of my beliefs and values.
Go for a Nature Walk
There is something so blissful about going for a walk totally unplugged, no phone, no podcast or music in your ears, just the sweet sounds of mother nature. Fully immersing yourself in nature’s landscapes by feeling the dirt beneath your feet, the sounds of the tree leaves rustling in the wind and all that surrounds you. Being in nature brings you back to a state of calm and helps release anxiety by lowering your cortisol levels. If I am consumed by my anxiety and can’t shake certain thoughts, I make a point to focus on what I can see, hear, and feel as I walk. Getting back to nature to energize your mind and body is a great way to distract your anxious thoughts! No matter the weather I make it a point to go for a daily walk.
Bring it Back to The Present Moment
This is big for me and something I need to remind myself of multiple times throughout the day. To be present, and fully in the moment. Like I said above, it’s pretty intense times and sometimes I get completely ahead of myself on what our future may look like. I am constantly reminding myself to let go and let be. To not focus too much on the outcome as that is out of my control and focus on things I have control over, i.e. showing up for my family, learning how to grow my food, and having more fun!
Limit Exposure to Information
The happenings over the past few years have really opened my eyes to many issues that I didn’t take note of before and it has really challenged me to critically think and analyse everything that comes out. However, I now limit my exposure to how much I consume. In the beginning, I had to know everything. I was searching high and low for absolutely everything, but I have scaled back tremendously. Limiting myself to only a couple of alternative sources and podcasts. I haven’t been on social media for over 4 years now and that has been a huge blessing through all of this. I highly recommend getting off social, or even just limiting your usage!
Take the Plunge
Cold plunging has been the ultimate challenge for me over the past year. We were living at the beach, so I had the luxury of being able to start the morning with a cold plunge into the ocean. In the beginning, it was HARD, like I truly disliked it, but with discipline and sticking with it, I have grown to fall head over heels for my cold plunges. Since moving to the countryside, I have had to swap my ocean dip for a cold shower, but I still feel the benefits. Give it a try. I promise you will grow to love the challenge.
