I have a confession to make. There have been times this year where I haven’t been very nice to myself. Little gremlins of anxiety have reared their angry heads inside my head, and made merry while I struggled to comprehend their existance.
Life is sweet and I have so much to be grateful for, so why does anxiety visit me from time to time?
These words have been bubbling up inside me for the past few months, and in spite of my fear of opening my heart, I decided that now is as good a time as any to share my experiences.
Why? Because I want you to know that if you live with anxiety gremlins, then you are not alone, you have a friend here.
Because I want to shine a light on those little gremlins and give them some love.
Because we all go through rough times in this beautiful, precious life – even if social media has convinced us that everyone else’s existance is shinier, happier, and gremlin free.
So why me? Why anxiety? I’ve been exploring this question a lot lately and the only viable answer that I can come up with is that I am a human.
We all have different ways of coping with the world, and for many years, I coped by worrying. Working out all the different senarios that could possibly happen so I would be ready for anything that came my way. This worry manifested itself in my body and led to illness. Which led me to yoga. But that’s a story for another day.
Over these past few years I’ve been working hard to change my thought patterns, retraining my brain to move away from worry and towards trust.
Trusting in where I am right now. Trusting that there is a lesson in everything. Trusting in the good of people. Most of all – trusting in myself.
But of course, as with any process, we sometimes hit a glitch. Hello anxiety gremlins. These little fellas love to create chaos in the mind – casting doubts over everything, amplyfing your worst fears, leaving you with a niggling feeling of sadness, worry, unrest.
When anxiety hits, it can be so hard to see clearly. The noises of those shouting gremlins make it difficult to hear anything else. Thoughts spiral, the body suffers. Maybe your sleep and eating are affected. It manifests in our lives in countless different ways.
So what can we do? I want to share a few things that have really helped me this year when I’ve met those cloudy days and weeks. Maybe all of them may help you, maybe none of them. Take what resonates with you and leave the rest. If nothing else I hope you leave this story with a little more awareness and love for yourself and your gremlins.
1 – Talk to someone
Find at least one person in your tribe who you trust. Even if you don’t divulge all the details straight away, even if you can’t yet find the words for the swirling tangle of thoughts in your head, let somebody know that you aren’t okay. Share your feelings. Every time I’ve met my gremlins, I always, always feel better when talking to a loved one.
2 – Celebrate the tiny things
Getting out of bed some days can be an achievement. Congratulate yourself. Celebrate the fact you got dressed (even if it’s into daytime pyjamas). Savour that hot cup of tea/coffee, making that was an achievement too. Whatever tiny tasks you complete, acknowledge them.
3 – Tap into your five senses
Take a hot shower. Take yourself outside. Feel the air on your skin – the wind, the rain, the sun. Look up and breathe it all in. Even if for a few minutes, get some fresh air in your lungs.
4 – Eat nourishing foods
Write a little list of nourishing foods that hug your tummy. What meals bring you joy? Try to eat as many bright colours as possible. I often finds this helps me when I’m feeling grey and colourless.
5 – Move your body
Of course I’m going to say practice some yoga! But if that isn’t your thing, go for a walk, or if you’re into sports get out and play. If all else fails have a dance in your kitchen. Anything to get you out of your head and into your body.
6 – Reduce your time with technology
I get the irony of writing this on social media, and I’m not saying to cut technology altogether, but think about how much time you spend scrolling each day, maybe consider taking a break from the internet from time to time and connecting with what’s going on here and now in the world around you.
7 – Be sweet with yourself
Remember that you are human. Remember that we all have ups and downs in this cycle of life. But know that nothing is permanent, it’s all temporary. Emotions pass. Your gremlins won’t have the speakerphone forever.
8 – Start a conversation with your gremlins
This was huge for me. Accepting that they exist in the first place, and then beginning a process to explore why they get so loud in my head sometimes. Instead of anger towards yourself and your anxiety, try to keep an open dialouge with it. See what comes up.
9 – Love yourself and love your gremlins
Forgive yourself and your gremlins. Your times of worry and doubt have shaped you into the strong and beautiful soul that you are today. All your experiences – good and bad, there is always something to learn in every experience – add to the richness of your life.
10 – Know that you are doing amazing
Even if today it doesn’t feel like it. You’ve survived all those other cloudy days, you are here to tell the tale and you are stronger and wiser for it.
I hope some of these tips resonated with you and I would love to hear if you have any tips on what little things make you feel better on your down days. Find me over on my Facebook page – www.facebook.com/
