RLWF

Last week I found myself unnecessarily anxious since I have a tendency to actually stress myself out when I feel like I’m not doing enough. Although I have other values of higher importance, a sense of accomplishment is one that I continue to prioritize even subconsciously. Here’s what I’ve found helps me when I begin to feel overwhelmed or anxious.

Writing my thoughts down. Journaling is always so helpful and helps me realize how irrational most of my thoughts are. You don’t need to develop an entire journaling routine overnight, so I’d start by just writing down what’s causing your worries when they arise. One exercise I’ve learned about more recently is to separate your thoughts into what you can and cannot control.

Meditation. When I’m consistently meditating I actually do feel like I start the day in a calmer state. It may be difficult to start, but even 5 minutes a day has proven benefits. I love the app Insight Timer for guided meditations and I use its timer feature otherwise. It’s also important to note there’s different types of meditations and even breathwork that can be beneficial. I’d recommend the Huberman Lab episode about meditation if you want to do a deep dive.

Gratitude. Thinking about things you’re grateful for or even writing it down really helps put things into perspective. Shifting your focus to what you have to look forward to in your life is key.

Going for a walk. It may seem like a lot of effort to get up and out, but it’s so worth it. Walking really helps me get out of my head and be present. If I am feeling overwhelmed, I won’t listen to a podcast or music when I’m walking.

I hope these tips help 🙂