In a Moment - Issue 20

When I try to wrap my head around all that is happening, I feel like my brain might short circuit.

It's unknown and unprecedented and unreal.

It's just too much.

It's just too big.

And so I stop trying to wrap my arms around it all. I stop trying to understand every facet. I stop following the latest news story or meme or infographic. And I turn in.

Because I'm already a little burned out on bad TV and because that's what feels good in this moment.

I start to peel away the layers, slide past the news stories, untether from the short term and the long term fears. When I look deep down at what I'm feeling. When I distill it down to its core essence, I find feelings I have encountered before.

I uncover Fear.

Anxiety.

Stress.

Sadness.

And I'm finding it's much easier to work with these feelings that lie beneath the surface. Yes, the source of the emotions might be much larger than I've ever experienced or imagined, but at their core, they are the same. It's helpful for me to focus on these feelings I'm experiencing in the moment and what I can do to help myself move through it.

I've navigated chronic anxiety for nearly 20 years. And over the years I have honed tools to help manage my relationship with anxiety. These tools are very simple. And these tools work with problems on a macro scale like we're all wading in right now, just as they work on a micro-scale. It’s not that you need bigger tools, you may simply use those familiar tools more frequently.

Here are a few of my go-to tools that I've been leaning into a bit more:

Ritual

I'm finding great solace in a consistent morning ritual. To experience a bit of continuity in the midst of the sea of change. I wake up, drink lemon water, meditate, write a little bit and move (stretch, dance, yoga). It's helpful to have a bit of time to pause before work or scrolling news feeds.

Breathing exercises

Taking the reins of our breath from our body and beginning to guide & shift our breath deliberately is incredibly soothing for the nervous system. The practice of controlling your breath, such as deepening your exhales, actually signals to your brain that you are safe. It is a helpful reminder, especially on a deep physical level.

Restorative Yoga

This doesn't have to be complicated. You don't need all the props. Simply doing legs up the wall for a few minutes can be incredibly grounding. It can help you find your footing. It can help instill a bit more ease.

Dancing

I like to have a single song dance party. Put on one song and move around for a bit. Move in whatever way feels good, grounding, or clearing.

What practices have you turned to in previous times of stress that you could pick up now?