This past year has challenged us all in a way that we couldn’t have expected.  The uncertainty of what is happening, the stories we are hearing, the ever changing rules, and the mask fatigue.  I have heard from so many people that they are experiencing anxiety like never before…many are experiencing anxiety for the first time.  

Sometimes when we are overwhelmed with life, and can’t quite put a finger on why we are feeling super anxious the best thing we could do for ourselves is to first take a breath.  Just breathe.  Take a breath in, hold it for a few seconds, and then breathe out slowly. 

If that helps you find calm, great.  If you are not quite back at your baseline than maybe take a few minutes to ground yourself.

This is basically a way for us to stop the feeling of, what I call, floating.  It can help us to find the ground beneath us and feel solid (enough) again in our body.  

The quickest way to do this is to do just that…feel the ground beneath you.  If you can take your shoes off and feel the ground on your bare feet.  If you are standing, and if it is available to you, sit down.  Feel the solidness beneath you.  If sitting is not an option that lean against whatever is available to you; the wall, a tree, a handrail.  Give yourself a minute to regroup and recognize that you are on solid ground and safe.

Sometimes it is really helpful, (although not always a good idea) to lay on the ground.  Allow yourself to sink into the feeling of the solidness beneath you. 

These ideas are not intended for those that are experiencing panic attacks.  If this is you, and you are experiencing panic (anxiety) attacks, please seek out help.  

Remember to stay in the present…keep your thoughts focused on the here and now.  We don’t need to figure out too many things in the future so stay here, in the right now.