THREE POWERFUL WAYS TO EASE ANXIETY

This year, 2020, has felt like a scary, unpredictable stretch for people around the globe. The coronavirus has thrown us all one pandemic sized curveball, interfering with the rhythms and structures upon which we, and our children, build our lives. Gone are the carefree meetups of schools, churches and jobs, sports and clubs, friend and family gatherings.

Some of us are affected more than others by grief, job loss, untrodden miles and milestones. Even if your life has not been entirely upended, there is a looming uncertainty, and many of our greatest fears in life are cloaked in the shadows of the unknown. If you or your children are feeling especially anxious and worried, know you’re not alone. Here are a few strategies to help you navigate these uncharted waters, bringing some calm into these seas.

Schedule Worry Time

Our brains like to worry for good reason: Biologically, our survival depends on anticipating and responding to threats. It’s helpful to worry about a pandemic if it drives us to take preventive actions like wearing masks, avoiding unnecessary gatherings and washing hands. But sometimes, worry gets a stranglehold on our thoughts, and we can’t seem to shut off our harried minds. A helpful way to interrupt incessant worry is to schedule a “worry time.” Every day, set a designated five-minute window to dive into the darkest rabbit holes that disturb your inner peace. When those five minutes are up, however, it’s time to move on. When worry comes to visit again, remind your worried thoughts that you will entertain them properly during your next worry time.

Move Fast or Slow

When worry ratchets out of control, try moving fast: exercising. With certain communal aerobic activities off-limits, I find bicycling, jogging and walking to be great ways to clear my head and keep my body in shape. I’ve also discovered YouTube dance workouts I enjoy with my favorite ‘80s music. My kids sometimes roll their eyes, but every now and then, when we’re feeling silly, I can convince them to sweat to the oldies with Richard Simmons in our living room.

Moving slow is another strategy: prayer, meditation, even mindfully washing dishes or folding laundry—feeling the warmth and soft texture of just-dried clothes, smelling the scent of the soap—is a powerful practice, redirecting the mind from the uncertain future to the living present.

Hug a Tree

Being out in nature is soothing to the nervous soul, and not just for its sensory pleasures. The practice of “grounding” or “earthing,” being barefoot in the grass, has anti-inflammatory, healing properties. Oddly, this practice causes a measurable current of electrical ions to move through the body, helping our bodies release the unhealthy free radicals that build up throughout the day. Grounding eases stress and tension, reduces blood pressure and even helps our bodies regulate circadian rhythms of sleep and wakefulness important to our overall functioning. Next time you feel anxious, go barefoot in your backyard and hug a tree.

Wendy Connelly, M.Div., is a podcaster (MoJo For Moms podcast), life coach and mother of two from Overland Park. You can find Wendy’s latest podcasts, speaking events, media appearances and more at MoJoForMoms.com.