If you are experiencing stressful, anxious, and signs of depression, I wanted to share some easy solutions that have helped me and it can work for you too. It is very important to help yourself and take care of you. There are family members, friends, or co-workers that depend on you (us) and never should anyone feel as if they (you) are not needed or important to be in their lives or a work team member.
Keeping Busy and Physical Techniques
• Start an Arts and Crafts project i.e., fresh or silk flower arranging
• YouTube how to paint, cook/bake, or learn needle crafts
• Photography (you can use a cellphone if you do not have a digital camera) and self-teach yourself how to use the crop, filters, sizing, and collage features. Share the photos by sending friendly text messages to family and friends (you can also post the photos to social media)
• Listen and share music with friends/family and review the music and artists
• Read a book and organize a book chat with various family members or friends
• Gather old knickknacks, books, CD’s, etc. and try selling them on various online platforms. Doing this will achieve two things, keeping busy and making extra money. You can also do the reverse and buy items and resell them at a profit. You can basically buy and sell anything on the internet
• Go to various dollar stores and purchase various sizes of baskets, picture frames, cooking utensils, glassware, fancy soaps, etc. and start making inexpensive basket items to sell or give as gifts for any occasion
• Register for a fun course to learn something new or improve your skills. It’s also a great way to meet new people
• Offer to walk or dog sit someone’s dog if you don’t have a dog. Doing this can provide a sense of comfort and an extra activity. You might even be able to work out being paid money and it could be a great part-time job as well as helping with your anxiety, depression, and stress
• Savor a food or drink and take small bites of food, small sips of a beverage that you enjoy. Allow yourself to fully taste each bite and the liquid. Think about how it tastes, smells, and the flavors that linger in your mouth and tongue
• Breathe in and slowly inhale, then exhale. If it helps, you can say or think “in” and “out” with each breath. Feel each breath filling your lungs and how it feels to push it back out. How it makes your stomach and chest go up and down
• Take a short walk and concentrate on every step you take and count them. Pay attention to the sound and rhythm of your footsteps. How it feels to put your foot on the ground and then lift it again
• Hold a piece of ice and what does it feel like at first? How long does it take to start melting? How does the sensation change when the ice begins to melt?
• Smell and savor a scent with fragrances that appeal to you. This might be a cup of tea or coffee, an herb or spice, a favorite soap, or a scented candle. Inhale the fragrance slowly, deeply, and try to realize and appreciate its qualities (sweet, spicy, sharp, etc.)
• Listen to your surroundings and take a few minutes to listen to the noises around you. Do you hear birds or dogs barking? Construction or traffic? If you hear people talking, what are they saying? Do you recognize accents from different parts of the US, or other countries? Listen to the sound your computer makes, the sound of the steps walking up a staircase, or take notice if your refrigerator makes a noise
All of the above will keep your mind and body busy providing a self-healing process and get you into a better frame of mind.
Until next time, stay safe and well!
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