Self-Care in the Age of Anxiety: Ways to Keep Calm and Carry On

This is the age of anxiety, no doubt. People are ready to blow off their lids in an instant. This is an example of how boiled up we are from the inside. We need a vent to throw away all the emotional trash that’s being suffocating us and making us lose our true selves.

As simple as that!

A lot is talked about self care. At times, self care can be as simple as buying a nice, aromatic body cream, opening the bottle, taking some cream in the palm of your hands and sniffing its heavenly fragrance, feeling its texture with your fingers, and slathering it gently and slowly all over your body until it sinks into your skin pores.

If you wish to keep calm, know the truths of modern life

It is easy to get used to things. If you don’t take measures to prevent getting used to being in stress, you are doing yourselves some serious damage.
Focus yourselves on one thing at a time. The modern-age concept of multi-tasking is finally taking a toll on people…and it’s showing. Examples: road rage, emotional eating, binge drinking, impulsive shopping, insomnia, restlessness, and more.
Do not allow yourselves to be shamed. Yes, people do it…sometimes in the face…many times in disguise. They make you feel guilty, selfish, and so many things you never thought about. They are “emotional drainers.” Stay away from them.
Don’t give in to emotional labor demand easily. Emotional labor is the kind of labor when somebody asks you to look into their issues.
Wish to do something to save the planet? Ok, do it; but don’t take the entire burden of planet-saving on your shoulders. Try to make a difference, but do not suffer for this. Have fun. Do things in a way that makes you happy. If it’s making you feel drained out and anxious, stop it.

Take care of basic things in life – self care is almost done

The ordinary, daily self care is inevitable. This may seem mundane, but it gains extreme importance when you are in a state of anxiety. You must have a strong foundation to fight challenges of life; stress being the major challenge in today’s lifestyle.

1. Sleep properly every night

You will be astonished to find what lack of sleep can do to your mind and body. It can actually drive you to insanity. It can actually make your vital organs and the brain shut down. So, don’t even try to find out by experimenting on yourselves. Curiosity will certainly kill the cat in this case. Just do this: sleep well each night. Wake up fresh and calm in the morning. Sleep makes an amazing difference in your health and life.

2. Do the usual “fix-its” of your body

Get a physical examination done every year, if you are above 35. Visit the dentist every 6 months. Suffering from hair loss? Find a treatment. Your complexion going dull? Fix it. These little things play a big role in enhancing your personality and increasing self confidence.

3. Exercise

No need to join a gym. Just do some yoga. Go for a walk every morning. Play some music and dance to your favorite number. This is an instant energizer! Indulge in a sport that you like. Be active in whatever way you like. You will feel the difference. Anxiety, what’s that?

4. Disconnect with the world for some time

Read a book, sit in meditation, take a walk in the woods on your own and observe nature, paint, write, de-clutter your things, do whatever makes you happy and calmer. Stay in your company for a while. This “me time” is priceless. Try to have it daily, if possible. It rejuvenates you.

5. If you don’t enjoy your own company, then there is something wrong with you

Mostly it is emotional. Are you insecure or afraid? Have you gone through a traumatic experience in the past? Are you frustrated? Is something bothering you? Is anger, jealousy, or discontentment pestering you? Try to find out. Contact a spiritual person or a therapist and heal your soul.

6. Talk it out, everything

Call your best friend or somebody whom you trust. Pour your heart out. This lightens you and gives you the strength to cope with life. Talking it out creates amazing benefits. You suddenly feel stronger again.

7. Hang out, often

Most of the times, we are so bogged down by life’s responsibilities that we postpone hangouts and picnics with friends. We even feel guilty of attending parties and social events amidst anxiety moments of our life. As the joker in the Dark Knight says, “Why so serious?” Take life easy. Have more fun. You will find it is easier to handle serious issues of life with a light heart; otherwise life can be quite heavy at times. It can knock you out flat.

8. Eat with enjoyment

You don’t have to eat boiled things for breakfast, lunch, and dinner to stay healthy. Don’t compromise with taste. Make healthy choices in food. Create your own recipes. Treat yourselves with your favorite food (read junk food) once in a while. This won’t kill you. Eat with a happy heart. According to an ancient saying of the East, when you eat food in grief it turns into poison; when you eat mindfully and happily it turns into elixir.

9. Dress up

Keep yourselves groomed well; wear nice and ironed clothes. Stop roaming around in home pajamas all the time. Dress up even if you have to just go nearby. Do your hair well. It makes a major difference in your self esteem. Be at your best all the time. You never know when life presents you a pleasant surprise.

10. Call your loved ones, don’t think

If somebody close to you is staying far away, don’t hesitate to call them. Don’t wait for them to call you. Take the initiative. They might be waiting for your call.