Pandemic Anxiety Busters~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, Psychological Self Care, REVERIES, Uncategorized

In the last two posts we started filling our anxiety busting toolbox and we are now down to our final three tools.*

Thank you to all the bloggers who added their own personal tools that work. They are most helpful and are incorporated into our toolbox. Choose any tool(s) that might work for you, and discard any/all that are not a good fit. Add more of your own resources that work. Adapt your toolbox to suit yourself. The most important thing, regardless of the specific tools, is to have tools in your awareness, to improve your mood, and ease your anxiety, when bad things happen.

Here is our toolbox:

ANXIETY TOOLBOX:

Self Talk Reframing (Cognitive Therapy)

Guided Imagination/Visualization

Exposure Management

Progressive Relaxation

Distraction in Action

Self Soothing

Second Voice

Spiritual Meditation/Prayer

Exercise, Diet & Good Health Practices

SECOND VOICE

Carl Jung emphasized the importance of paying attention to our inward self and inner voice and felt that, “engagement with the inner voice is pursued not as a form of inner housekeeping, but rather in the humble service of the development of a relationship with an intelligence present within us but greater than our own. Committing to that service means relating more deeply to our inner nature; its only end-goal is the whole-bodied, whole-hearted, full blossoming of who we really are.”

https://themindunleashed.com/2015/12/five-ways-carl-jung-led-us-to-the-inner-life.html

I wait for, seek out, and listen to my ‘second’ voice, which is often corrective, more helpful, and more calming to me, than my first immediate thought. If this makes any sense to you, try it. When an event occurs, and you have an immediate thought about it, pause, ask yourself, “is this right?” Your second voice may well chime in giving you a more helpful and accurate option. The more you practice listening for your second, more rational thought, rather than accepting your first immediate impulsive thought, the better you get at doing it. Jung felt that our inner voice was direct communication with the collective unconscious, hence the Divine.

SPIRITUAL MEDITATION/PRAYER

Taking time each day to clear your mind of worries and concerns by focusing your attention on the bigger picture is immensely helpful. There are many ways to do this. Prayer and spiritual meditation are methods for connecting ourselves to the greater whole which is profoundly comforting. This spiritual connection can be reached through independent or group prayer, formal or informal meditation, religious or spiritual practice and study. Immersing oneself in nature helps us feel comforted, part of a grander design. Exercising creative pursuits and talents help us feel spiritually connected. The idea is to take time daily for spiritual retreat and connection, eliminating all the noise, chaos, and negativity of the temporal world.

These practices encourage us to fully live in the moment and feel gratitude for being alive. In times of serious stress like a pandemic, turning inward spiritually, connects us outward, bringing calm and comfort. And now that most of us are isolated, finding a way, remotely to be of service and help to others, could never be more important.

EXERCISE, DIET & GOOD HEALTH PRACTICES

We all know the importance of exercise, a healthy diet, hydration, plenty of sleep and rest, in maintaining our physical health. These practices boost our immune system and improve our emotional and psychological health. This becomes more important when we are under sustained and serious stress. As part of your health plan don’t forget to have fun. Be creative about fun, include daily relaxing, distracting, and fun activities, that you have more time for now that you are home. Don’t forget to enjoy life, after all, it is passing, and you are living, now.

  • I tried to upload new photos specifically for this post but wasn’t able to. It seems my wifi is overwhelmed. So I reluctantly include prior posted photos.

Cheers & calm to you, from me, at The Holler~

330 thoughts on “Pandemic Anxiety Busters~”

  2. Take this time out to talk to those you live with, I did and spoke to a lovely lady last night, found we had so much in common, music, food, books and travel, my Wife is really a lovely Lady.

    Reply

  4. Pingback: Sunday Stills: The Power of Fantastic #Florals – Second Wind Leisure Perspectives

  5. My toolbox is a bit different but a toolbox is essential. Imagining myself in your fields of flowers is a good tool. Mozart, Chopin and a host of other works of music take me out of myself. My A.D.D. mind is not conducive to meditation but painting seems to give me a similar escape. Of course one cannot go wrong with a walk in the hills here. Reading has always been a great comfort and refuge for me.
    Bisous et on santé xxx

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                1. Good. I want to read, “The Empaths Guide to the Galaxy.”
                  You have to admit you created a brilliant concept.
                  I will still write one chapter.
                  Stay safe sweet lady ♡

                  Reply

                  1. I can’t even imagine where to begin, however, I am ordering a copy of Hitchiker’s Guide… for research as I’ve never actually read it.
                    You have certainly hyped up that tiny hamster who runs on the wheel in my grey matter as my head is spinning.
                    It would be a great honor to have you take part and perhaps even a bit more than a chapter, an introduction?
                    Bonne santé ❤

                    Reply

  8. What a lovely positive-energy post Cindy i appreciate the time you spent to share this.

    I have a meditation app which is quite good. I use YouTube Yoga classes and my regular pilate’s teacher is doing online class lessons to keep the charges down and it motivate us to participate. Facetime and Skype friends and elderly family members. I’m also getting prepared for an exam, learning new music and even Mary Kondo’d my cupboards.

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  11. Sometimes distraction is also a good tool…
    Hubby and I just finished a different little card game.

    Be well, stay safe and sane, Hugs, Jules

    Reply

  17. Thanks so much for the beauty and the suggestions in this post, Cindy! Your beautiful soul shines through and your willingness to offer this peace to your readers is a testament to your kind heart. I hope you are well. Keep creating…stay safe! <3

    Reply

    1. Your so thoughtful comment is shining example of why I so love being part of this incredible blogging community. Thank you for your kindness Lorrie & stay safe my friend <3

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        1. Yes. It is so interesting, isn’t it. While some research and media tend to report that online interaction is limited and problematic, I have found it to be just the opposite. Bloggers are creative souls, who want to meet someone who understands, which you and I do. I am super blessed by this community and by you. Thank you Lorrie and stay safe my friend. ♡

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          1. Thank you, Cindy 😊 I agree 100%. I feel more authenticity with friends I’ve made here than with some in person relations.
            Stay well…keep creating from your soul💜

            Reply

    1. Prayer is innately calming to me and has been since I was very young and I grew up in an atheistic family. The peace and calm from prayer, and from sitting in a cathedral praying, has only increased as I age. დ

      Reply
      1. Donovan Carper

        That’s pretty amazing how u discovered that in spite of atheist family. We have several at our church who came from similar backgrounds but knew there had to be more to life then pure existentialism…that’s great!!

        Reply

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