My mood shifts throughout the day from feeling calm in the safety of my home to anxious when I check in with the news. I know I’m not alone in dealing with unfamiliar emotions in these uncertain times. Keeping a positive outlook, staying connected with others and controlling my environment are essential for me to feel a sense of contentment at the end of the day. I’ve found the following to be helpful in reducing anxiety and keeping my spirits in check.
1. BREATHE: I can’t recommend enough taking a moment in the day to step outside and get a deep breath of fresh air. It’s amazing how much it eases my stress and brings me back to a centered space. If that’s not possible, then I’ll practice deep breaths at home or use CALM for guided meditation. I like Headspace too.
2. NEWS: I’m trying to limit my exposure to the news and being mindful of how I want it delivered. I listen to the daily recap on the WSJ What’s News podcast as one of my sources. I’ve also found a few sites like Positive News, and Good News Network with an optimistic focus and uplifting stories.
3. CONNECT: Like so many others, I’m staying connected with friends and family through texts and social media. We help each other locate food and supplies, share insightful links, find ways to help local businesses, and spread a good amount of humor. A little laugh does wonders. I’m also not hitting the pause button on A Note on Style. Even though fashion is not the first thing on my mind right now, connecting with you all is more important than ever.
4. CONTROL: I’m avoiding social media accounts that cause additional stress. This goes hand in hand with #2. I’d much rather enjoy inspiration from accounts that are comforting, positive, beautifully photographed and thoughtfully scripted. I can’t think of a better example than that of my dear friend Angela at Angela’s Table. Her reflective storytelling accompanying beautifully photographed food, florals, and tabletop shows her genuine passion for creating warm gatherings for family and friends. That’s inspiring on so many levels, particularly now.
5. WELLNESS: My diet is focused on building a strong immune system. That means lots of fruits, vegetables, and nutrient-packed foods. No sugar. If I do get sick with any type of virus, I’d like to give my body its best chance to fight! I also take Source Naturals Wellness Formula, a supplement my entire family has used for over five years.
6. SLEEP: I’m trying to get eight hours of sleep nightly. Magnesium and melatonin seem to help as does following a consistent bedtime routine. I love a hot bath with Epsom salt, coconut oil, and a few drops of essential oil as the ultimate way to relax before slipping into bed. Read here on how sleep bolsters the immune system.
7. SELF: I’m listening to my body and taking afternoon naps if drowsy. I’m eating when I’m hungry and staying hydrated throughout the day. If gulping plain water isn’t your thing, try sipping herbal tea. I like to experiment with different blends and enjoy a variety that claim to promote calm, boost the immune system, help with sleep or regularity, etc.
8. EXERCISE: Weather permitting, exercising outside is best for me mentally and physically. I’m taking walks in wide-open spaces, riding my bike and enjoying the fresh air. An early morning hike is next on the agenda to mix things up. However, I’m still in need of a guided Pilates mat class to maintain core strength and avoid losing too much flexibility. Suggestions are very welcome!
Your turn. What are you doing to keep calm and relieve anxiety? 🌿
Turn on your JavaScript to view content
Bea
1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles & your delicious Pinterest page!!!
Thank you for continuing your posts during this time…..
Stay safe, everyone!!!
Bea
Karima
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoy my Pinterest page! I hope it provides you with a momentary escape.
Kim
Like you, I’m limiting my news. Quick run-through in the morning, local TV at night…that’s it. If I go back to NYT or WSJ during the day, it’s mainly to check Style, Arts or Food. I’m about to start online classes with my local Pilates studio. Finally, touching base with those I care about. The words, “How are you?” seem so important right now.
Thanks for checking in with us, Karima!
Karima
So true. “How are you?” is the most sincere question right now.
I’m going to check out some of the referrals from readers for a good pilates class. I miss that quite a bit.
Ashton
Hi Karima, I discovered your blog through Paloma and yours has also become a daily destination for me! If you haven’t heard of Melissa Wood Health, I highly recommend trying her mat pilates classes. They are short enough to fit in on any given day or you can choose a more lengthy class if you have the time. I hope you enjoy!
MP Allegaert
Great post, Karima. I am typically not an anxious person, but I find myself waking at some pre-dawn hour with my mind and heart racing. I’m taking Magnesium but will add Melatonin into the mix.
We are fortunate to have a cabin in the Adirondacks, so social distancing is not a problem. Nor breathing fresh air and beautiful walks or hikes. Today 5.5 miles.
We’re cooking and baking and playing vicious backgammon. And books! Going back to my childhood love of reading has been a joy.
Stay safe, stay healthy, stay sane! See you on the other side…
Karima
A cabin in the Adirondacks sounds like the perfect place to be! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. This day to day uncertainty is new territory for all of us. There is something about the return to books, board games, walks and true family time that gives me pause in my search for the silver lining to this crisis.
Tamara
Hi Karima, thanks for your posts. I live in Seattle in a high rise apartment building and times are tough right now here so reading your posts are very uplifting! I haven’t tried Pilates but have been doing daily live online yoga sessions. It really helps both physically and mentally and also listen to classical music and take time to meditate.
Marie
Hi Karima! Your beautiful posts have been one of the first things I come to in the morning when I sit down with a large mug of Tra Que Chai. The news can wait. We all know it’s not going anywhere! Then I choose a yoga practice from “Yoga with Adriene” that suits my state of mind. My husband and I have been working on jigsaw puzzles, walking with our dogs and cooking healthy and satisfying meals. I get my news from NYT Daily Briefing email, and then we watch the 12:00 p.m. news here in MA. Stay well!
Karima
Thank you for your kind words and sharing. It sounds like you’ve found a lovely way to get through the day. Yoga, walks, cooking, time with family…these activities have proven to be incredibly comforting for me too, especially at this slower pace.
KSL
Early morning hikes, beach walks, and painting are helping a lot. I don’t watch TV news at all – so agitating. I do find my anxiety increasing at about 4pm everyday, so I’m going to look for some online restorative yoga classes to do then. I’m also doing a lot of healthy cooking and dropping half of what I make off at my daughter’s family doorstep – so I can see them all through the windows and feel a connection with cooking some for them.
I did order a jigsaw puzzle to try. Stay well!
Karima
You’re very fortunate to have a creative outlet to immerse yourself in. That’s been my saving grace.
Staying connected with family through cooking is comforting on so many levels, for you and your loved ones.
Stay safe and healthy. And I agree, keep the tv off!
Stacey
Good morning. I’ve never commented before but your site is my absolute favorite. I look forward to it every morning. I live in Austin and one of my very best friends is a master trainer in Pilates. She has a studio here along with her husband who does holistic physical therapy. They are truly wonderful. In order to continue serving their patients, they have started doing zoom classes. You should check out the classes with Cheryl Dunn. Their business is Core Therapy and Pilates in AUSTIN, Texas. Take care and thank you for the beauty and inspiration you put out. Stacey
Karima
Hi Stacey. Thank you for taking the time to comment and your kind words. I love hearing from readers!
I’m adding your pilates recommendation to my list of classes to check out. Thanks!
C.Michaela
Loving all of these calming influences >< Keeping our minds in a peaceful place is a daily challenge in this crazy new world we are now living in..finding refuge in simple comforts and holding fast to our family and friends is the fire that we all gather around for warmth. Perhaps the one and only silver lining in this crisis is that we live in a country of vast resources and in an era of advanced technology ,where when we are asked to separate we can still stay connected… Stay Safe and Stay Well !
Karima
All good points. Thank you for sharing. Stay well!
Alice Strom
Your own guidelines regarding maintaining your physical and mental health are excellent.
I really like all of your ways of doing this and I certainly can see how it contributes to this line…..
“If I do get sick with any type of virus, I’d like to give my body its best chance to fight!”
Thank you very much for this post and all of them. I enjoy them very much!…Alice
Karima
Thank you. They’re definitely helping me weather this storm!