Living Your Yoga: Managing our anxious moments
Pretty sure everyone has dealt with some layer of this discomforting dis-ease by now....right?
On Wednesday 19th October, I will co-facilitate an open forum with members from the American Women’s Club where mental health wellness is our focus.
This month, our group is highlighting anxiety and how this can show signs in our bodies. Further tips on how to manage our anxious moments are shared below.
We will cover topics specific to our gut health on how to better support our parasympathetic nervous system. We will lightly address polyvagal theory, which is the breakdown of understanding our body’s trauma response ratio and how this impacts our overall physical, mental, and emotional health.
This is a chance for members within our community to join at the clubhouse which is a safe refuge for all nationalities to discuss these topics in a protected environment, and with health and wellness practitioners noted at the bottom of this post.
For those within the Hague area, please feel free to join us for this self-nurturing event. Local resources can be found here.
Tips to calm an anxious mind. Immediate to longer term.
Complied this short list for a quick reminder, or prompt to give yourself. Perhaps something here will resonate?
SLOW DEEP BREATHING – A yawn, or sigh, also helps. Otherwise work with breath control. Inhale for 4 counts, hold at the top of the inhalation for 4 counts and then exhale through pursed lips for as long as lung capacity allows.
Stay Present and practice the Rule of 3 – Name 3 inanimate objects immediately in your surroundings you can see, 3 things you smell, 3 things you can hear.
Get outside – best in open nature but any short walk will help.
Body scan activation – At the end of the day, when you have time to yourself, practice visualising from toes to scalp, active relaxation. Click HERE for a short, guided meditation.
Reward yourself regularly – Dopamine releases when there is an anticipation of a reward. Schedule indulgences for yourself!
Identify your trigger – Make an honest inventory list of things that emotionally drain you. Slowly eliminate what does not serve you one by one.
"Normalise daily 20 minute sponsored nap times" - Said all Yogis everywhere
For me personally in managing my own anxious moments, I found self-awareness to be the most helpful. To reach this state, the secret is found living within the present moment. Often this can be difficult when the mind’s thoughts race to take us elsewhere.
A good support system should never be underestimated. And asking for help is always warranted.
I remain a safe person for others struggling, as are these women:
Keep Breathing,
Audra