Managing Your Anxiety

I feel like now is a good time to write another post about managing anxiety, especially since so many of us are struggling with anxiety during this difficult time. As an extreme introvert, I still don’t know if I am enjoying these social distancing orders. Ever since my university switched over to a remote learning plan, I have experienced a bunch of different emotions such as relief, happiness, sadness, anger, distress, depression, and anxiety. I didn’t think it was possible to experience so many emotions at once! With that being said, the focus of this blog post will be aimed at managing anxiety.

Anxiety Management Practices

  1. Develop awareness of anxiety by asking yourself these important questions: 
    ✧ What are the physical signs that are making me feel anxious?
    ✧ What are the behavioural signs that are making me feel anxious? How am I behaving towards myself and others around me?
    ✧ What am I focusing on that might be adding to my anxiety?
  2. Build Anti-Anxiety “Grounding” or “Distancing” practices. Establish a minimum-time of practice during a given event such as a 15-minute time frame.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ Make your own practices/resources visible and available so that these resources are available to you when you need them the most. I have compiled a list of ideas to help get you started!

♥ Here are some ideas ♥

1. Talking to someone who “gets” you or finding support groups online.

2. Trying the 5-4-3-2-1 Technique from I Attended an Anxiety Workshop

3. Practicing breathing exercises from I Attended an Anxiety Workshop

4. Meditation and mindfulness practices from I Attended An Anxiety Workshop | Part 2

5. Practicing yoga from the comfort of your living room. I recommend FREE workout videos from YouTube. My favourite fitness channel on YouTube is BeFIT🧘‍♀️🌱

 6. Journaling such as gratitude journaling or bullet journaling.
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7. Physical activity such as long walks outdoors. Just remember to keep your distance from everyone if you decide to leave the house.

8. Chores which include cleaning and tidying. You could Marie Kondo your home while listening to the audiobook. Yes, it is FREE on YouTube!

9. Cooking or baking. Give your unused cookbooks some love by trying a new recipe.

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Delicious homemade strawberry shortcake in all of its glory.

10. Tap into your creative, authentic self. You could revisit creative projects that you have been neglecting such as adult colouring, blogging, knitting, jigsaw puzzles etc.

11. Appreciating nature by spending time outdoors or indoors, depending on your preference. Again, remember to keep your distance from people to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. My favourite place to escape from reality happens to be this therapeutic sanctuary on campus.

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Since the outbreak of COVID-19, people stopped congregating here. As of last week, they closed this place down until further notice.

12. Aromatherapy works wonders too. I wrote a blog post about the essential oils and diffuser that I use everyday.

13. Listen to music on YouTube, Spotify etc. Surprisingly, I am enjoying the Spotify subscription a lot more than I thought I would. I use Spotify to listen to music playlists on my iPhone or Google Home(s).

14. Spending time with your beloved pets ♥️

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My boy, Timon, chilling in his cat tree. Like Timon and Pumbaa from the Lion King.

15. Tracking water intake using a cute app like Plant Nanny. Do you often have a shit mood? You might be dehydrated and not even be aware of it. Want to track your water intake? Try growing a virtual garden! Before I switched over to a new phone a couple years ago, I had a virtual garden which was awesome! 😊🌺

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16. Practicing self compassion like self-care, positive affirmations etc.

17. Playing video games or watching Netflix. It’s easy to get addicted to these things so try and put a limit on how much time you spend engaging in these activities. Even though we don’t use Netflix, we happen to have over 3TB of downloaded movies, documentaries, and TV shows.

18. Reading a self-help book to help lift your spirits. I recommend reading “You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life” by Jen Sincero.
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(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ Remember to continue practicing your preferred strategies in moments when you are feeling calm, which will help reinforce these stress relief practices. You need to actively practice these techniques especially when you are having a better day, or you will struggle to gravitate towards good habits when you are knee deep in anxiety and/or depression.

Quotefancy-4889622-3840x2160You might be surprised to learn that many bloggers struggle to find the motivation to write sometimes. Honestly, I haven’t been motivated to write blog posts since being confined to my house . I also faced a ton of resistance prior to writing this blog post. Now that I have written this blog post, I actually feel a sense of accomplishment! If you enjoyed reading this blog post, feel free to leave a comment below↓

Thanks for stopping by!

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Published by Hilary Tan

I am currently in the process of finding my inner goddess as I search for inner peace, find mental clarity, develop mental toughness, and crush goals. Come join me on this journey so we can live our best lives!

104 thoughts on “Managing Your Anxiety”

      • limitlessmare says:

        Sure is 😉 We got her in November of 2018 and 2 month later I was hit with deep depression with suicidal thoughts for 3 months, she’s the only thing that kept me alive. They are angels 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      • Hilary Tan says:

        I have been following your story on your blog, and I can empathize with how you feel. Suicidal ideation is awful, and I occasionally get these thoughts, more often than I would like to admit. I keep a list of reasons to live for which helps me during times of deep depression and wanting to end it all. Several years ago, I tried overdosing which I don’t openly talk about (I’m not that brave….). I hope that you are able to find your light in this time of darkness. 🙏💕

        Liked by 1 person

      • limitlessmare says:

        Hilary, thank you for your honesty, I admire you for that. It’s comforting to know you understand and saddens me at the same time that you have felt the way I feel. Somethings feel so mountainous and dense. Thank you again 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      • Hilary Tan says:

        What you are feeling deserves to be acknowledged and validated. Sometimes, we don’t exactly have the words to describe these feelings, but I know from personal experience that these feelings are very real. You are not alone in this battle called life. Stay strong, my friend. 😊💕

        Liked by 1 person

    • Hilary Tan says:

      Hi Ashley! That’s awesome that you are a fan of Marie Kondo’s methods. I have tried reading her book 3 times and can’t seem to finish the book. Now I have resorted to the audiobook version. I am determined to learn how to tidy the house once and for all. I definitely need to try her folding method – my current folding method sucks. LOL 😂

      Liked by 1 person

      • ashleyleia says:

        The sparking joy part didn’t really resonate with me; I’m far more interested in function than joy when it comes to belongings. But the folding method blew me away – it saves so much space!

        Liked by 1 person

      • Hilary Tan says:

        I really need to try this folding method now. The sparking joy thing sorta works for some items, but those items were mostly junk to begin with. This is the question I ask myself now: “Does this piece of junk spark joy?”

        Liked by 1 person

    • Hilary Tan says:

      WOW, that’s awesome Amielle! Do you use Plant Nanny 1.0 or Plant Nanny 2.0? Personally, I prefer the original Plant Nanny. Your skin is glowing in your profile pic and now I know your secret! 😇

      Like

  7. randomnessofmycrazylife says:

    Great tips !! Its a really helpful post.
    Staying at home has given me time to pamper myself and do things I like . I have been cooking and baking, reading books and started writing after a long break !! I have also played games and done random stuff for which I wasnt having time since long. Its feels good to have some time in this busy life. I have been trying to take this lockdown positively.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Hilary Tan says:

      Thank you so much for reading and commenting! 😄 I am happy that this post was beneficial to you. This is Week 5 of the quarantine for me, and I am starting to adjust to this “new life.” Yes, staying positive during these uncertain times is so important for our mental health. I love your positive mindset and outlook on life! 🧘‍♀️🌱

      Like

  9. ceponatia says:

    It’s difficult to comment on longer posts because there’s a lot I want to mention but I don’t want to write a book in your comment section, haha. Lots of great advice, a lot of it I relate with. I have been an avid proponent of Spotify for almost 10 years; I don’t think I could survive without it. I wish I could meditate but it actually makes me more angry and anxious when I do it, lol. I had about a month streak a couple years ago after getting out of rehab but never really got to the point where I felt like I was actually meditating instead of just sitting there being pissed off. Lol

    I read You Are a Badass and Unf*ck Yourself at the same time and it was an interesting experience because they’re both trying to do the same thing but have radically opposed views on life. Helped me to realize that there’s really no one way to happiness and fulfillment and I identified with parts of both books. The truth is often in the middle of two extreme views.

    And lastly I should definitely get outside more but it’s been extremely nasty here lately. I live by a river and pretty much the whole area is flooded and it’s still pretty cold out. Nothing worse than wet and cold!

    Liked by 3 people

    • Hilary Tan says:

      I have been searching and searching for your comment and I could not find it. Today, I realized why I was unable to find your comment even though it kept appearing under the notifications on my phone. I did not know that I wasn’t loading the previous comments on my blog posts, so I kept missing it! 🤦‍♀️ I sincerely apologize for my technologically challenged brain. I switched to a laptop from the phone app so I am trying to adjust to these changes.

      No worries. I find it funny how your “giant book comment” got lost in the sea of comments and I was still unable to see it. 😂 Have you tried guided meditation? I have had more luck with guided meditation than trying to force myself to sit in a quiet room (it’s never quiet in my apartment). Whenever you feel pissed off, I recommend writing your thoughts down in a journal, and later reflecting on them once you are calm. Our brains are often on overdrive, and “brain dumping” is a great way to get these thoughts out of your head. Highly recommend this trick, especially when the mind is full of chatter.

      Yes, I know what you mean when it comes to self-help books. You really only need a few books to get the key concepts because authors tend to regurgitate the same stuff. Find a book you like and stick with that… for me, I need someone yelling and swearing to get me off of the couch. I vibe well with Mark Manson’s book, “The Subtle Art of Not giving a F**k” because I tend to view life from a more pessimistic standpoint. His book is a no-bullshit book which is why I like it. I gave up reading the physical copy of “You are a Badass” by and listened to the audiobook version. Jen narrates her own books which is awesome! Find what vibes with you and roll with it! 🙌

      Liked by 1 person

  12. PoojaG says:

    Great post! My online classes started last week and I’ve been experiencing all those emotions too. It’s great for introverts like us but at the same time when you have anxiety it comes with all types of new problems. I’ve been trying to stay busy and cooking has been a great distraction for me.

    Liked by 2 people

  13. Rose says:

    Thanks for the awesome tips!! The strawberry cake looks so good. Maybe I should take up baking… Although, I don’t even have any baking tools haha…

    Liked by 2 people

    • Hilary Tan says:

      We used a Berry Crocker box cake mix 🤫 We baked the cake, made whipped cream from scratch using an electric mixer, made the white chocolate shavings using an extension for the Kitchen aid, but you can buy the shavings instead of going through all of that hassle. Finally, we embellished the cake with strawberries. There is a layer of whipped cream in between the two cake layers. It might sound intimidating, but you can totally make this cake without fancy equipment.🍓🍰

      Liked by 1 person

  16. V says:

    I just saw your text message and thought instead of responding via text, I’d write happy four years in here… in case someone else might see too!

    ‘HAPPY FOUR YEARS’.
    You’re a seasoned vet at this whole blogging game by now. Congratulations on sticking with something that the majority of people quit in 3-6 months. lol

    Also – still no mail. Is like… Canada post stopping service? Are you getting mail?

    Liked by 2 people

    • Hilary Tan says:

      Thank you, Vee! I am the type of person who buys one phone case, uses one phone background, and uses the same email I had since I was 12 years old. I guess the same rule applies to this blog and it will probably still be here in 10 years LOL 😅

      Honestly, I don’t know what’s going on with the mail and it’s a bit worrisome. I double checked your address earlier today to make sure I mailed it to the right place. I sent my mom a birthday card last week and she got it yesterday. She lives in Ontario. Personally, I haven’t received any new, exciting mail (just bills, bills, bills).

      Like

    • Hilary Tan says:

      Thank you for reading and commenting!😊 I am happy that you are enjoying this blog so far, and I plan to keep blogging in the future. We are doing out best to stay safe and healthy during this rather stressful and uncertain time. Please stay safe and healthy too! 🙏💕

      Like

    • Hilary Tan says:

      Tbh I haven’t been doing yoga [at all] during the quarantine, and should really find a new home workout. Last summer I did yoga at home, but these days I much rather go outside and spend time in nature, even though there is snow on the ground. Thank you for reading and commenting, Tiffany! 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  19. popsiclesociety says:

    So many helpful information Hilary! I’m glad you wrote the blog post 😉
    I’ve never had problems of anxiety but nature is the place that makes me relax and unplug from the hectic day!
    That app sounds so cool. Of course I’ve downloaded it 🤪
    The strawberry shortcake looks so delicious Hilary! 😋😋
    Wish you a wonderful week!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Hilary Tan says:

      Hi Ribana, It’s always nice to hear from you! 😊💕 You are lucky that you don’t suffer from crippling anxiety. Perhaps it is a Western thing? Singapore seems like such a chill, happy country. How are you enjoying the Plant Nanny app so far? 🧘‍♀️🌱

      Liked by 1 person

      • popsiclesociety says:

        Honestly I don’t know if it’s a Western thing or not…probably not…I do hear a lot of people suffering from anxiety…
        I’ve started to water my virtual plants for a few days and after that I gave up…hahahaha…too troublesome 🤪🤪

        Liked by 1 person

      • Hilary Tan says:

        Tbh I gave up too. The data didn’t transfer when I switched phones in 2018. I kept the app but lost interest in starting a new virtual garden from scratch. Now, I keep track of my water consumption in a habit-tracking planner. Tbh, I haven’t been doing so well in terms of hydration. 🌹🥀

        Regarding anxiety, I feel like social media contributes considerably to the problem. I am not currently taking any pharmaceutical medications but still deal with anxiety. I use non-pharmaceutical options like journaling, exercise, maintaining a healthy(ish) diet, as well as the occasional therapy session if it gets really bad. There are options out there!

        Liked by 1 person

      • popsiclesociety says:

        I’m glad you don’t rely on social medial anymore and yes, you are very right, there are so many options out there! I guess you just need to be opened to see them and willing to try them out!
        Stay positive, stay safe and stay healthy Hilary!
        And when needed eat that kaya toast 😉

        Liked by 1 person

      • Hilary Tan says:

        Like many, I had convinced myself that I needed social media but I learned that I can live without it. I might return to social media once I have my life in order, but until then, I am staying far away from it to focus on life goals.

        That is very good advice, Ribana! Staying positive, being safe, and staying healthy are absolutely essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks for stopping by~! 🧘‍♀️🌱

        Like

    • Hilary Tan says:

      Thanks for reading, Jenny! I feel like a lot of bloggers have compiled similar lists of things to do during the quarantine. To help lessen the anxiety, focus on things that bring you joy and make you happy. 😊💕

      Like

  21. PoojaG says:

    These are all really great tips! What has helped me the most is definitely writing down everything I’m grateful for as well as music- it helps me relax whenever I start to feel anxious.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Aris Federman says:

    Love this! The tips on exercise and breathing cannot be understated. I used to underestimate the power of managing your breath- I’m currently at college in a BFA Acting and part of the curriculum involves breathing workshops, breath has a direct connection to emotional life for sure. Cool post!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Hilary Tan says:

      I wrote a more detailed post about breathing techniques in the post titled, “I attended an anxiety workshop, Part 1.” Me too – I used to underestimate it as well until I tried it and realized how effective it was at managing my anxiety in stressful situations. I think it’s awesome that breathing techniques are included in the curriculum at your college. Thank you for reading and commenting, and good luck with school! 😄

      Liked by 1 person

  24. amymayj says:

    Fab tips, you’ve catered for everyone which is so important as a lot of the time the “go-to” methods don’t always work for some people! Cuddles with my cat is one of my favourite things to calm my anxiety, the sound of her purring always helps! When things get really bad I love the 54321 technique as well, it always seems to calm me even if it’s just for a few minutes. Thank you for sharing! x

    Liked by 2 people

    • Hilary Tan says:

      Isn’t the sound of a cat’s purring the best thing ever?! ❤ I am so happy that you found this blog post helpful. My goal with these blog posts to provide some kind of value for readers, so I tend to use broader topics. What’s great about a list like this one is that it can be modified for the individual. One person’s list might look a lot different than another person’s list. During the COVID-19 pandemic especially, finding ways to manage stress/anxiety is SO important. Thank you for your insight, Amy! 😊💕

      Liked by 1 person

    • Hilary Tan says:

      Hi Cheryl! Thank you for sharing your insight here. I was going to cognitive-behavioural therapy as well as an anxiety workshop up until late last year, and now everything has shut down. They are offering online consultations; I haven’t joined yet. I am a bit hesitant to join but it is relieving to know that they are offering these services while we are in quarantine! 🧘‍♀️🌱

      There are support groups on social media sites as well which has proven to be helpful for many people. Personally, I am not on social media these days. I am finding the WP community to be helpful during these difficult times. Thank you for reading and commenting, Cheryl! 😄

      Liked by 1 person

    • Hilary Tan says:

      Thank you for stopping by today! 😊 I really appreciate your kind words, and it means so much that this post resonated with you. Yes, spirituality and holistic medicine are so important for a person’s health and well-being. 🙏💕

      Liked by 1 person

      • poeticallyyours360 says:

        We have to debrief from the negative encounters, all the conflicting and confusing news outlets. So, it is refreshing to read your work and find confirmation. you are welcome and essential now and before the pandemic

        Liked by 1 person

      • Hilary Tan says:

        I don’t know what I would do without podcasts, self-help books etc. Before the pandemic started, my university offered an anxiety workshop, which basically confirmed stuff I already knew. Still, I found it really helpful finding something that I could relate to it 😊🤗 Now that we are in the middle of a pandemic, I feel like everyone’s mental health has been impacted in some way. And yet, I find myself using these timeless “tips and tricks” on my best and worst days. I completely agree – it’s important that we are able to manage and cope with these challenges, especially these days. Thanks for sharing your insights with me. 😊🌺

        Liked by 1 person

    • Hilary Tan says:

      Thank you for stopping by, City Girl Kae! 😄That’s awesome that you got the book, and I hope that you enjoy reading it! Reading is good way to stay busy during the quarantine.❤

      Liked by 1 person

  31. brunettelondoner says:

    Hi- thank you for this post! It‘s really comforting to know I’m not alone and hear from someone who feels the same way I do. Can’t wait to start some of your tips- as I’ve been struggling for years and haven’t been able to get a handle over it. 💛

    Liked by 2 people

    • Hilary Tan says:

      Hi Brunettelondoner! 😇 Thank you for visiting my blog. I’m happy that this blog post gave you some helpful tips. You’re definitely not alone on this journey and soooooo many people struggle with anxiety. If anything, I try focus on the present moment and do the things I can control – rather than focus on the external things that I cannot control. Also, deep breathing really really helps. If you have essential oils, I recommend using them as well to ease the tension. Please let me know if these tips worked for you – I would love to know! Thank you for reading! 😊💕

      Liked by 1 person

      • brunettelondoner says:

        Yeah I will keep you posted! I’ve definitely had the habit of worrying about things weeks before that particular feat I have occurs- thank god i don’t have to do presentations anymore, they were the worst!
        I plan on buying some essential oils, so I’ll let you know how it goes. Thanks 💛

        Liked by 2 people

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