Weekly Prompt #24: How have you found ways to be supportive of yourself during more anxious periods?
Welcome back all, I hope you are all being easy on yourself this week.
Last week we discussed: Writing a message for someone under stress and offering words of encouragement and support. Thank you to all who participated and shared their kind messages and notes with us. I appreciate you all. I hope all who may read it find it helpful too. If anyone hasn't shared yet or experienced any challenges while trying, please share them here and I look forward to reading and discussing them with you.
This week's prompt: How have you found ways to be supportive of yourself during more anxious periods?
During times of heightened anxiety, it is crucial to find ways to be supportive of ourselves. It is important to acknowledge that anxiety is a common human experience, and it is perfectly normal to feel anxious at times. Please know it is okay to prioritize our mental health and take steps to support ourselves during anxious periods. Let us get started and share your ways. Even if you didn't find any yet, do share and let us know and we can brainstorm together!
Join us in the Anxiety Support Chat every Monday and Tuesday!
@ASilentObserver
Hi, ASO,
right now the answer is drinking beer and luckily I did all my chores for the kitty before I left for work. So I am at home and relaxing. Since my chores were done, I spent time playing with the kitty
I have been hard of hearing in my left year for years. Tonight my right ear lost it's hearing at work. I could barely hear anything. Audiologists have told me that stress can make a person lose their hearing temporarily. I am currently under a LOT of stress at work so that could be what has effected my hearing tonight. I stopped on the way home at 2am from work, and bought a 6 pack of year. My intention is to try to relax myself a LOT. I took my meds and am drinking beer. Hopefully this will help work. Please don't tell me not to drink alcohol. I know I shouldn't.
@purpleTree4652 I am sorry to hear that, Purple. It sounds like you have had a very stressful evening and are doing your best to take care of yourself. Losing hearing in both ears suddenly must have been quite frightening. Playing with your kitty and taking some time for self-care are good choices. Please know you are not alone in coping with challenges, we are all here with you to listen to and to support.
I like to be by myself in a safe corner reading a book to get out of my head and get a break from the anxiety. Once I get a small break and try to digest and understand what made my anxious and my plan moving forward.
@akay06 It sounds like finding some quiet time alone with a book helps you feel safer and process difficult feelings. I am glad you have found a way to understand what's troubling you and make a plan to move forward in a way that works for you.
Today i felt so anxious i was having short breath problem so help myself out i went outside felt better for awhile .
@Mekuland3050 I am sorry to hear that, Meku. It sounds like you experienced some anxiety today that had physical symptoms. Going outside and getting some fresh air helped provide relief, if only temporarily. You are taking steps to care for yourself during difficult times. What kinds of things do you usually find most helpful for calming your mind and easing anxious feelings?
I try to go out be in park and take deep breath / i try painting or listen to audio book . I used to walk before a lot but now i dont feel like walking now i feel so low and down .trying affirmation to ease the situation.
@Mekuland3050 I am glad you have been trying several helpful strategies to ease your low mood, like spending time in nature, creative outlets, and affirmations. Taking walks was also beneficial for you previously. Reflecting on positive statements is also a compassionate practice. You doing your best. <3
sometimes what works for one place doesn't work with another place. That when I was forced to go to my Dad's friend Dora (not actual name) house in February the only thing that kept me calm the entire time was crocheting but when I tried to do the same thing at the family reunion back in I think it was July despite crocheting I still lost my temper. Of course at Dora's place I could also try to join Mom in the basement with Dora's puzzles she can't do anymore.
I'm don't know why crocheting worked in one place not the other place-maybe that it because we left Dora's place after 7pm and we didn't leave the family reunion until like 9pm and we didn't get home until after 11pm.
@Disneywoman It seems like crocheting helped you feel calmer in one environment but not the other. Exploring different feelings can be helpful. You have found ways to cope in challenging situations, and that takes strength.
@ASilentObserver as I said elsewhere if only my parents could put my needs before their needs (ie "wanting to stay later" and have us leave early) but whenever I suggest something like that they say I' ma spoiled brat. If they don't want to leave early say I can get a ride from my Aunt M1 if she's there and her car isn't full because she always leaves early.
@ASilentObserver
During anxious moments, I like to get lost in the forest on the hiking trails. Especially when there is a drizzle and it is cold, like today. I went hiking and I felt like walking for a long time and sometimes I enjoy just laying down on the rocks and watching the lake and the sky.. It has the most calming effect for me...
@PetiteSouris It is very beautiful view, Souris. thank you for sharing with us. It sounds like being out in nature, especially when it's dreary out, helps calm your mind. Spending time immersed in your surroundings, whether walking the trails or gazing at the scenery, allows a sense of peace to wash over you.
@ASilentObserver
Sure, I love sharing my hiking pictures with everyone. And you are absolutely correct, nature brings a lot of peace to me...
@PetiteSouris thank you Souris. you are amazing
beautiful 🤩
it’s usually so nice and calm
@ASilentObserver
I just keep reminding myself I'm human. Humans aren't perfect and we will never be perfect, we have limitations. We will fail, we will fall, but the important thing is to get back up. To learn from and sometimes even embrace our mistakes. Yeah, I mess up sometimes and I'll slip up doesn't mean I'm a failure or I'll never get anywhere in life. It means I'm human, and it won't stop me from getting better and growing as a person. I just keep trying my best.
@JollyRacher It sounds like you are reflecting on what it means to be human and the journey of growth and learning from mistakes. You are reminding yourself that being human means being a work in progress, and that growing through challenges is what helps us become better each day. What thoughts or feelings are coming up for you as you consider embracing mistakes as part of being human?
@ASilentObserver
Relief, I guess. I strove for perfection for a lot of my childhood, but I always fell short for something. Grades, always 99 or 95 and just that small shortcoming would send me into a spiral. I'd question my worth and fall into this deep depression. Now, I can get a 99 or a 95 and be happy with myself, be content with it. You win some and you lose some, that's how life works. It takes a load of my shoulders knowing I'll never be perfect. It's a nice feeling.
@JollyRacher It sounds like embracing mistakes as part of being human has brought you a sense of relief from harsh self-criticism. Though I am glad to hear you are finding contentment through appreciating your efforts and accomplishments without being defined by a single grade or result.
@ASilentObserver
sleep in to reduce my anxiety. Take a few naps here and there. Listen to music helps.
@MoonLightShadow423 It sounds like you have found some helpful ways to care for yourself during more anxious periods. Taking rest and listening to music you enjoy are soothing activities. We are all here with you to listen to and to support
@ASilentObserver
Taking mental health days when my anxiety is too high to function at work.
@neatBlueberry5213 It sounds like taking care of your mental health is very important to you. You are dedicated to listening to what your mind and body need. What kinds of things do you find help reduce anxiety when you're not able to take a day off from work?
@ASilentObserver
I do butterfly hugs, tea meditations, pray, and quickly jump on here.
@neatBlueberry5213 It sounds like you are experiencing some anxiety at work. I am glad taking time for self-care like tea meditations and connecting with supportive communities here are helpful ways to cope.
I try to think positive and kind thoughts and reassure myself that everything is ok while I'm at school or out in public. And I usally sit in the back corner of the classroom if possible, to me it feels like I have my own little space , even if there is people around. But at home I like to go to my room and take a break and relax, I'll watch YouTube videos and do skincare, arts and crafts, or study and research topics that I'm interested in and both methods really help me calm down.
@VahMedoh01 I am glad you have found some helpful strategies for coping with anxious periods. Creating a safe space for yourself, whether that's sitting in the back of class or relaxing in your room, and engaging in activities you find calming are wise ways of self-care.
@ASilentObserver In busy times, I've found comfort in taking a few minutes to do deep breathing. It really changes how I feel. In a tough meeting, doing this helped me think more clearly and feel less stressed.
@blindGrace277 Thank you for sharing about the various self-care practices you have found helpful, Grace. You have discovered quite a few ways of managing stress and anxiety that work well for you. You mentioned connecting with others through talking with friends - how does sharing with others help support your wellbeing?
