We are all too familiar with the fear of the unknown. Moving to a new city, starting a new job, experiencing a significant life change – embarking on anything uncertain can cause real stress. I recently wrote about ways to cope with transitions, but today I am focusing on the anxiety that can pop up out of nowhere and make you question everything. I am sharing some ways to heal those feelings, calm yourself, and get into a positive mindset:
Tell someone you love how you feel
This is my #1 tip because I know I often try to bottle anxiety and keep it hidden, which just makes it worse. When this happens, I am scared to admit how I feel, as though if I say it out loud it will become real. In fact, telling someone releases those feelings, and I always feel a bit lighter.
Be gentle with yourself
This tip is a close second to the one above. I can be hard on myself when I start thinking negatively – as though maybe I have not done enough to prepare for the change, or I should have done things differently. This spirals into a bad place. Start thinking kind things about yourself instead. Say to yourself, I have done everything I could have done. I have made the best choices possible for myself.
Move and breathe
We all have different ways we usually cope with stress. Whether you prefer stillness and choose to breathe deeply and meditate, or need to move and decide to walk or run, do it. Avoid being paralyzed – do something to get the oxygen moving. It will help you think and process more clearly.
Try alternate nostril breathing
If I really need to calm down, Nadi Shodhana – or alternate nostril breathing – works like a charm. There are a few ways to do this, but here is what I essentially do: Take the thumb and ring finger of one hand to either nostril. Close one nostril with your thumb and inhale. Then, take your thumb off and close your other nostril with your ring finger. Exhale. Then inhale. Take your ring finger off and close your other nostril with your thumb. Exhale. Inhale. Repeat this process, alternating nostrils. Watch this video if you need a guide to learn this breathing technique (Yoga with Adriene is the best).
Have a dance party
On the other hand, sometimes it feels better to shake that anxious energy out! Put out your favorite, happiest tunes – the ones that never fail to lift your mood – and dance it out. Doing this usually has me feeling a lot more positive about the changes to come!
Find the sunshine
In the summertime, go lay by the pool for a few hours with a good book in hand. If the weather is chillier, bundle up and step into the brisk air anyway. Natural light – and especially sunshine when it is available – always gives me a boost and comforts me.
We all handle anxiety differently, but the above have been my best solutions for easing it. What do you do when you are feeling anxious? Share your experience in the comments!
Love, Bee
Thanks for putting this together!
Such a good article. My husband and I are in major transition right now (moving cities, finding new jobs and setting up our new house etc… after 12 years where we were). I’ve been feeling the anxiety coming up asking myself if I made the right decision so this was bang on for me! Xoxo
Thanks, Ruth! I’m so glad it was timed right for you! I myself am starting a new job which is what inspired me to write it. 🙂
These are such great tips!! Thanks girl!
#1 is soooooo important. I usually don’t have trouble sharing with people close to me (or sometimes people not that close to me), even some harder things. But when it comes to anxiety, I’ve kept it to myself for a long time because I’ve always told myself that anxiety is silly and I just need to get over it. But talking about it is really important because it IS a big deal and it does matter.
Thank you for sharing this list! I’m pinning this so I can come back to it when I need to!