Sometimes you get that anxiety building in your body. You feel off, uncertain, not exactly uncalm, but more like unsettled. Not exactly afraid, but not at ease either. What do you do when it comes upon you?
Try to breathe, first of all. Think about your breathing, not judging it, just inhaling and exhaling, in and out. Deeply and fully. Do square breathing if it helps you – inhale for a count of four, hold for a count of four, exhale for a count of four, hold for a count of four.
But what else? Because sometimes that doesn’t work. Got a friend you can text? It may be that the simple act of reaching out to a good friend calms your restlessness. Got a life coach? (Hello! Sign up here to work with me!) Reach out to them and let them know what’s going on with you. They may see a piece you’re missing that can help put you at ease.
And journal. Write down what’s going on inside your head. If you do a brain dump, that’s fine, or make a bunch of lists, or just fire off random notes that you don’t think make much sense. Get it out of your head and see where you feel it in your body and then give yourself some grace. Everyone feels anxiety and out of sorts once in a while. And when you get it out of your mind you can start to be curious about it.
It matters how you feel, and it’s all too easy these days to dismiss your true feelings and take a pill or self-medicate the sensation away. Be curious about yourself, and kind to yourself. And even if you find yourself feeling anxious, extend yourself a little extra grace. And find something to be grateful for, or someone you can be of service to. Sometimes getting out of your own way is the best thing you can do.