Many people suffer from anxiety. The pandemic has increased this number exponentially. Some may suffer from a mild case that comes and goes, but others may have it severe enough that it impacts their daily lives and stops them from being able to do the things they want to do.

Anxiety can have many underlying causes and is impacted by hormones, stress, nutrition and daily activity. I spent many years suffering from anxiety and still do. It is not easy to be scared. However, anxiety and fear although normal are not a mechanism to help you move forward. Consider this quote from Jodi Picoult:

Anxiety is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but doesn’t get you very far

Many times when I am really anxious and suffering with my fear, I tend to suffer silently, as I know many people do. Other times I am an open book, and choose to lean on people to help me get through. I am fortunate have a good support system with my Mom and Husband, and both tend to have a calming effect on my nerves. So, I know that it is much more beneficial for me to talk about how I am feeling.

I am a Mom, Blogger, Health Coach and Marketing Director, so why choose to be vulnerable and share all of this? I hope that what I have gone through and learned from, will be able to help someone else who is similarly suffering. When the pandemic started, so did my anxiety which had been quiet for a long time. I have spent many hours over the past year finding tools to help my anxiety, as I am a firm believer that you have to put in the work to feel better.

What works for one person, may not work for someone else. It is important to take the time to get to know yourself and your triggers. It is also important to be patient and know that sometimes it takes trying multiple things. It is important not to give up on yourself because you are worth all the hard work.

Here are some tips that have helped me:

Talk about it – Find people that ground you and calm you down. For me that is my Mom, Husband and Life Coach

Diet – Many people do not realize how much diet impacts mental health and anxiety. One of the main reasons for this, is that gut bacteria produces the mood chemicals Serotonin and Dopamine, as does the brain, that means a double whammy of mood stabilizing chemicals. So, what you put in your gut is so important. According to betterhelp.com when you are suffering with anxiety you should consider cutting out caffeine, alcohol, sugary beverages like soda and chocolate. Try eating veggies, nuts, fruits, beans and fish. Skip the pint of Ben and Jerry’s and pizza!

Move – Fitness increase dopamine and serotonin levels. It also is a great stress reliever

Meditate- Use one of the many meditation apps, or look up EMDR on You Tube. This practices can help to calm you down and ground you. I like calm.com

Sleep– Get a good night sleep. It is much easier to cope when you have had a solid nights sleep

Take a Time Out – Honor what you are feeling. Don’t push it aside. Take a break from what you are doing and breathe, take a bath, do some calming stretches

Be Easy In Your Self – It takes time to find the tools that work for you. It does not happen overnight, so be patient

You will get through this and be stronger for it. Know you are not alone. You are worth with work!