How To Deal With Anxiety In Uncertain Times

I'm not gonna lie, I am feeling a bit on edge right now as the Corona Virus spreads through the world. Uncertainty and anxiety are very tangible right now.

It's important to allow yourself to feel what you feel, but also to lean in more than ever to find ways to soothe, calm and cope. Ways to create healthy conversations, boundaries and establish routine self-care practices.

I decided the best thing I can do is up all of my health practices I've been doing over the past several years, and encourage you to do the same.

I've spent the past decade working from home. During several of those years, I was mostly socially isolated due to recovering from PTSD, adrenal exhaustion and trying to start a business. I am somewhat familiar with social distancing as I've gone days on end many stretches with no human contact other than my own kids.

But this, right now, is different. I'm trying to see the opportunity in it, while also maintaining some level of zen. As well as a time to focus on pleasure as a source of energy and release.

So, I thought I'd share some ideas for those of you who are less familiar with staying put, being more still and even 'resting/relaxing'.

1. Get up early

I LOVE to get up before everyone else in the house so I have time for quiet reflection, journaling, meditation and to watch the sunrise. I am looking forward to countless uninterrupted hours now that school is closed and no more morning hustle to get out the door in time.

I also maintain a healthy early bedtime, so I'm well rested and keep my circadian rhythm happy. Happy hormones = happy ME!

2. Take plenty of movement breaks

You don't need a gym, your body IS a gym. There's plenty you can do at home with just your body and some ingenuity. And thank goodness for the internet, because you can just google workout videos for all of eternity and never get bored. I highly recommend you consider yoga, pilates or chi gong.

If you don't have resistance bands already, now would be a good time to get some. I use mine daily to keep my shoulders and back stretched and strong, to counteract all the  time I spend sitting in front of my laptop.

You also need to keep your lymph moving so your body can release toxins. Dance party in the living room anyone?

3. Get back to your hobby

Many of the women I work with tell me they lost touch with the hobbies they used to enjoy. Well, guess what ladies; if you are home (and I hope you are right now #stopthespread) now is a good time to get back to your hobbies. That's exciting to me.

I keep seeing a meme going around that when Shakespeare was quarantined because of the plague, he wrote King Lear.

It's amazing what you can accomplish when you have all the down time in the world, don't waste this opportunity.

4. Lay out in the sun or go for nature walks

You can still get outside and maintain social distancing 6 -10 feet from other people not in your immediate family. Nature is a powerful source of healing and  you  need the sun more than ever right now for it's ability to help you build T cells. Watch the sunrise and set daily. Go out on your deck and have a family sunbathing session.

5. Stay connected

I've spent many years as a work at home mom while also recovering my health. It's possible to do and not lose your mind, as well as find connection. Thank goodness for the internet and social media.

Do your best to find places on social media that help you feel empowered right now. Take breaks when you feel a little triggered by the news and come back when you need connection -but be sure you are tuning in to the placers where the helpers and supporters are.

Connect with friends/family through social media or host Zoom meetings or other virtual community gatherings to stay connected. I decided to re-open my Facebook group: Vibrant Health with Lydia and am planning a weekly Zoom meeting to educate and support you as well as some Facebook Live events.

6. Eat Healthy (Nourish Yourself)

Imagine being at home and able to cook all your meals from scratch. While some may not be used to this or find it a 'hassle', it's really just an opportunity to get back in touch with FOOD and cooking. A skill that many have lost or taken for granted but is a necessity not to mention an opportunity to eat more optimally as well as more relaxed. The slowing down of society has it's benefits and slow food is one of them. Take some time to google recipes to work with what you have on hand in your pantry. I've learned how to take mini work breaks to make myself healthy meals that are quick and nourishing. It just takes a little practice. Plus, you can cook once in bulk and save some for later.

Check out my Breakfast Ideas photo album on Facebook. A few of my favorite sources for health recipes include; The Organic Kitchen, Raising Generation Nourished, Nom Nom Paleo,
and 100 Days of Real Food. 

7. Listen to Binaural Beats or Headspace

It's very easy for tensions to rise right now. One of my favorite go to's is listening to meditation music. Sometimes I like actual guided meditations, sometimes I like different themes which binaural beats have so many to choose from.

Binaural beats are said to: reduce anxiety. increase focus and concentration. lower stress. increase relaxation. foster positive moods. promote creativity. help manage pain.

Just go to YouTube and type in binaural beats to check some out and find a few you like as your go-tos.

Headspace or the Calm app are also good options to check out right now. I also love putting on orchestra music or the channel on the TV that shows beautiful landscape images while playing lovely instrumental music. Music is a great way to calm your nervous system in times of stress.

8. Practice Breathing

I learned to hold my breath a lot in the past when I went through troubling times. Once I got through my traumatic divorce and early years of single motherhood, I finally started to breath better. Many trauma survivors do hold their breath and have to unlearn this pattern. I try to pay attention to this since breath helps you get oxygenated. When your body is starved of oxygen, your cells and brain are too.

You can't BE at your best health with an oxygen deficit. So pay attention to your breath - put a timer on your phone and take breathing stretch breaks. My friend who is a yoga instructor teaches kids how to do this by tracing their finger from one hand over and up and down the fingers on their other hand. Inhale on the upward trace of a finger, exhale on the downward trace and repeat. Even just a couple minutes can help and will reset your nervous system rather quickly.

9. Practice Gratitude

Listen, I know I could complain about some shit right now and you could too. I find it's important to verbally process my concerns and fears, but also shift to gratitude.

A gratitude mindset helps you shift from a focus on your struggles to embrace life's challenges and roll with them. Trust that life is cycling in just the way it needs to for your ultimate good and growth.

Right now I have so much to be grateful for and so do you likely. I've written about this on the blog in several posts, you can check one of those out HERE.

10. Magnesium (Minerals)

It would be remiss of me not to bring up a mineral solution for you considering minerals are what both saved my life and brought me out of adrenal burnout. As well as gave me back my sanity.

Magnesium is the first one to consider and get started right now. It can help you to deal with stress so much better. Stress causes you to lose and use up magnesium so you'll need to replenish. Read more HERE. If you are not taking supplemental magnesium or using it topically - I highly recommend you start now. No need to run to the store, you can order some online through my supplement store HERE.



I could share many more tips for you, but I've found this list to be my go-to and incredibly supportive. So start there and feel free to tell me your tips in the comments.

If you would like to know what your body needs specifically so you can get your spark back and create a life of vibrant health - I am currently accepting new clients and will give you a blueprint for your health right now based on hair tissue mineral analysis. You can learn more here.

If you have any questions, drop them below for me and I'll be happy to answer them.

*Note: this post contains Amazon affiliate links as well as links to my online supplement dispensary. Any purchase you make through me allows me to earn a small commission.