What Are the Best Ways to Calm Our Fear and Anxiety?

Welcome to Your True Self Blog where age doesn’t matter…except when it comes to the Coronavirus.  Since this pandemic hit the world and eventually the place where I live, fear and anxiety have become a real tangible issue:  first when people panicked and cleared the shelves of everything we needed at the stores, and then when each one of us in my family began to realize the possibilities of what it will do to us.  So what are the best ways to calm our fear and anxiety?

I was going to research all the best ways and post them all here.  But then, I decided to just share my story and the ways that my family is coping with the fear.  As I did, I came up with 17 of the best ways to calm our fear and anxiety.  There are many more.  I welcome you to leave your ideas in a reply below this post!

Our son, Chris, moved from New York to L.A. at the beginning of this month.  He had been acting and producing movies and plays from his New York City location for the last nine years.  His intention was to change coasts so that he would be closer to movie-making possibilities.  He had a house and job in L.A. as soon as he arrived and he has close friends who are connected to the entertainment industry whom he was happy to be reunited with.  He was making plans and contacts over the first two weeks and thoroughly enjoying himself.  Then suddenly, everything closed down…including the entertainment industry on both coasts.  Now he is self-quarantined and alone in his new home.

New York has the highest number of cases of COVID-19 and he is no longer there.  That’s good news.  But California has had among the highest number of cases.  My husband, Russ, and I are in Michigan which certainly isn’t a state with one of the lowest counts of The Virus.  (From this time forth, COVID-19 shall be referred to as “The Virus” throughout the rest of this article.)  But Michigan’s number of cases was, until now, way under that of California’s.  Thus, my husband has been beseeching Chris to come home until this is over with the logic that it is much safer here…or Russ will drive to California and get him…or Russ will drop everything and drive straight there to take care of Chris if he comes down sick.

But thinking of Chris possibly getting sick all by himself alone and/or him taking a trip home from such a long distance and possibly staying at a possibly contaminated hotel makes me feel fearful.  What scares me even more is thinking that Russ might expose himself to The Virus in California.  Chris is young but we are not.  We are all healthy but it takes a lot more positivity to keep thinking that we might all get it mildly and get over it quickly with no lasting effects.

And suddenly, tonight while I’ve been writing this, Michigan cases surged so high and so fast that our state is now number five on the list of 50 states.

Meanwhile, I have been trying so hard to quell feelings of fear that well up and stay calm.  I have been trying so hard to stay positive.

So…what do we do about this?!

What Are the Best Ways to Calm Our Fear and Anxiety?

#1 – Breathe

My number one reaction when the first cases of COVID-19 struck our vicinity was to breathe deeply and consciously let go of fear, anxiety and worry.  Any kind of breath work helps.  

#2 – Make a Plan

So what do I think of all this?  It becomes difficult to sort everything out when emotions overwhelm us.  So after taking a deep breath, it’s time to start making a plan.

Well, as far as making plans, I’ve spent a lot of time in the last week since The Virus hit Michigan making lists.  I took stock of what emergency rations we need as far as food and medical supplies and I’ve been shopping at least four times in the last week, plus Russ went a few times as well.  A couple of those times we used Shipt shoppers to deliver to our house.  Other supplies were ordered online and delivered.  (I am avoiding Amazon because they are continuing to overwork their workers in crowded conditions without disinfecting the warehouse environments.)

Chris said worries are not just keeping him from sleeping at night, but any time he sits down during the day they fill his head.  He said it’s like our brain is a basket that’s full of worries that rattle around in there and don’t go away.

He has been doing a number of things spontaneously that he enjoys.  The good thing is that these are things can help keep anxiety at bay.

The Best Ways to Calm Fear and Anxiety that Chris has been doing:

#3 & #4 – Get Outdoors & Exercise

He goes to the park on nice days and takes a jog.  Getting plenty of exposure to outdoor light, especially in the morning, helps.

#5 – Do Something Creative

He joined an online group with a challenge to write a screenplay.

#6 – Socialize Online or By Phone

He talks with us and with friends every day on the phone.  Talking with family, friends and co-workers can help boost your mood.  Skype, Facetime and teleconferencing may be even better.  We are in each other’s minds.  That is very comforting to share and know.

#7 – Treat Yourself

He splurged on a good bottle of wine to accompany the healthy dinners he is making.

The Best Ways to Calm Fear and Anxiety that I have been doing:

Since the beginning of this crisis, I used various tools to boost my spirits.  Spiritual beliefs are different for each person, so you can replace mine with your own.  But here are a few things that help me to feel at peace.

#8 – Supplements

Like I said in my first post of this series, “What Supplements Can Help With Immunity and Stress?”, the first thing I did was make sure I added vitamin C, echinacea, goldenseal and zinc to my daily vitamins.  Some supplements that help to alleviate feelings of stress are ashwaganda, rhodiola rosea, B vitamins and Olly “Goodbye Stress” gummies.

#9 – Meditate

There are various ways to meditate and I shared some simple ways in my post “How to Meditate:  Free and Easy Ways to Calm Your Mind.”   You can just sit and quiet the mind on your own or you can listen to a guided meditation.  You can even put earbuds in and listen to peaceful music a few times a day. 

 #10 – Pray, Chant or Just Fill Your Heart With Love

When you don’t feel like you have control over everything, you can use your mind to send your intentions to others and the situation at hand.  At the same time letting go, you are trusting in the power of love and the power of positivity.  That puts your body into a healthy state, clears your mind, connects you with others and allows you to be guided with your action.

#11 – Use Aromatherapy

Essential oils not only have scents that impress emotions upon your mind but they also have therapeutic properties.  You can look up the healing effects of various oils.  We can probably all think of oils that do different kinds of things, such as the effect of that eucalyptus oil has in clearing the sinuses.  There is an ancient healing blend of oils that pirates used to ward off sickness among them.  If that sounds helpful to you, you can find a Pirates Essential Oil Blend online. 

#12 – Use Crystals

Carry crystals with you or wear them as jewelry.  If you know how, you can also build a grid with your name and affirmations under the stones.  Some of the crystals that can feel protective are:  petersite for balancing fever and immunity; nebulas for healthy cell growth and renewal; titanium aura to deflect toxins, for cell renewal and for kundalini; shungite for help with panic and anxiety, calms and balances, good for respiratory diseases; seraphanite for self-healing.  Also good are amethyst, fluorite, rose quartz for the heart and clear quartz to amplify the other stones.

#13 – Listen to Healing Frequencies

The healing power of music is still being explored but there are many ways it is being used by practitioners with good effect.  You might like to try googling sound frequencies that calm anxiety.  I have been listening to 852 Hertz and my favorite so far is through PowerThoughts Meditation Club on YouTube.

#14 – Ground Yourself

Ground yourself, knowing that you are now alive and well and part of the earth.  Just put your feet on the ground whether barefoot or not, on the grass and earth outdoors or on the floors indoors…and do it consciously, mindfully.

#15 – Watch Comedy on TV Instead of the News

The news can be very depressing.  It’s not something good to delve into.  Russ and I get our news daily but quickly from the newspaper or online.  We do like to watch informative documentaries on various topic and history.  But lately when we watch tv, I’ve been finding myself gravitating toward comedies.  It’s refreshing, fun and healthy. 

More of the Best Ways to Calm Our Fear and Anxiety:

#16 – Have Fun

That brings me to one of the best ways to calm our fear and anxiety.  The simple and best idea is to have fun, whatever that means for you!

#17 – Appreciate the Present Moment

“Fear keeps us focused on the past or worried about the future. If we can acknowledge our fear, we can realize that right now we are okay. Right now, today, we are still alive, and our bodies are working marvelously. Our eyes can still see the beautiful sky. Our ears can still hear the voices of our loved ones.”
–Thich Nhat Hanh

Ultimately, life is where you are right here and now.  Write down the positive moments in a day to help you keep a perspective and appreciation for all that is still good.  That’s the best replacement for anxiety and worry.

Let’s Connect!

How about you?  Are you worrying about your loved ones near and far?  Are you staying positive and calm and peaceful?  If so, do you have tips for us on how to attain and remain in that state of mind?  Please leave a reply below!

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Thank you for visiting Your True Self Blog!

Angie

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Aromatherapy, Body Mind Spirit, Body/Mind/Soul, Lifestyle, Meditation, Wellness