If you’re anxious, try these simple at-home interventions:
1. Distinguish the facts on the ground from fear-inducing media messages with hypothetical charts and graphs of future doom. Be informed but don’t watch the news all day.
2. Close your eyes and breathe very slowly and deeply for five minutes. You can also Google breathing exercises that calm you.
3. Combine deep breathing with yoga. Google yoga lessons on YouTube.
4. Exercise at home.
5. Finish your hot shower with a cold shower.
6. Process your state of mind:
You’re more than your anxious feeling; it’s just one part of you.
Become aware of this part. Observe it. Study it.
Visualize it as a character, and dialogue with it.
Ask it the details of its fears and worries.
Then respond to it with the wisdom you imagine a wise sage would offer.
Have a daily dialogue with this scared part of yourself, but don’t identify with it. Instead of willingly participating in it, use your awareness and strength to calm and reassure it.
