COVID-19 - Coping Mechanisms for Anxiety

For those prone to anxiety or simply just are afraid towards the unknown, I’ve put together some tips and idea’s to get us through this uncertain time.

There's no doubt that this is a very questionable time for all of us, as everything has pretty much been put on hold, but the light in this is that we are all going through this together.

I know it can invite different levels of anxiety, and for some people it can naturally feel overwhelming being exposed to something like this!

Anxiety can manifest in so many ways and it is hard to get through especially when you can’t help but overthink everything that is going on. It’s not as simple to just ignore these thoughts that bother us constantly, but it is possible to find ways to not let them take over our day to day routines.

For people going through anxiety and those who have been advised to self-isolate, here are some mechanisms to keep ourselves calm and some creative ways that can help us to keep stimulated and at ease.

Painting

Honestly, before quarantine i was the absolute worst artist ever. But I always admired the beauty of painting and decided to watch YouTube video's on how to paint, and now.. its an addiction!

'' Art is a wound, turned to light''

You don't need to be the best artist, or have the best equipment to start this. There is still availability for online ordering and all you need is a canvas, brushes and some paint!

Painting has been proven to be immensely therapeutic, you become so distracted from worries and become focused on producing your painting. For someone who is such an over thinker, getting into this has truly been perfect for me to do when I feel overwhelmed or anxious. It filters the million thoughts away, and allows you to manifest your energy into something beautiful and creative!

Coloring

Similarly to Painting, coloring also works as a great way to reduce stress and de-clutter the mind. Coloring has the ability to relax the fear center of your brain, the amygdala. It induces the same state as meditating by reducing the thoughts of a restless mind.

In this current case it would be difficult for people to go out and buy coloring books. An alternative is ordering online if you can, or simply printing out outlines from the internet!

Reading

I know not everyone is a reader, and that's okay! I never used to be into reading up until a couple of months ago, and it actually is a pretty great hobby.

There are millions of books out there to serve as enlightenment, whether they be self-help books (my fave), fiction or non-fiction, and so much more. Finding interesting and gripping stories out there can be a perfect way to get by and allow your mind to be taken somewhere magical.

Here are some of my most recent faves:

Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini

A Thousand Splended Suns by Khalid Hosseini

13 Things Strong People Don't Do by Amy Morin

Good Vibes, Good Life by Vex King

Listening to Podcasts

I LOVE listening to Podcasts. I find this is an amazing way to understand and connect with people. It allows you to think about the world with different perspectives, gain advice and so much more. There are so many great podcasts out there that provide a range of topics for listeners. Whether it's motivation tips, self-care, female empowerment, relationship talks, you name it and its there! You can get hold of podcasts on media platforms such as iTunes, Spotify and Soundcloud.

Here are some amazing podcasts I can't recommend enough:

The Pretty Big Deal Podcast by Ashley Graham

The Tony Robbins Podcast

PLT - Behind Closed Doors

The Deliciously Ella Podcast

Cooking and Baking

I never used to be a major baker or cook but I've found recently over the years that this is a hobby that truly can lift your mood and pass time beautifully. There is something so special about following a recipe or starting a dish fresh, and then seeing a beautiful and creative result. I know some people think they can't cook, but you don't need to be an expert chef to do so. I follow recipes I find online and it becomes so easy!

''But out of limitations comes creativity.''

You've probably realized that majority of these tips fall under being creative. This is because mechanisms like this truly do allow you to understand and find your full potential, no matter where that may be. It's okay to feel anxious or worried, especially in times like this. But it's about where we direct our attention to that helps us get through journeys like this!