Are you feeling anxious than before considering the global situation right now, and trying to figure out how you can heal your anxiety during quarantine?
Many of my patients have experienced a resurgence of anxiety and depression since the lockdown began.
Critical inner voices muted for years have returned with a vengeance. Those nasty, annoying voices that are quick to promote our failings, criticize our appearance, poke holes in our confidence, and sends our anxiety through the roof. Even a simple glance in the mirror can trigger an avalanche of disapproval.
Your inner criticโs goal? To turn you into a miserable, complaining curmudgeon. Letโs examine why your inner critic seems to thrive in quarantine.
Why Youโre Anxiety is Getting Worse
Most of us didnโt choose to isolate. The pandemic did that for us. Perhaps the most damaging aspect of the quarantine is the lack of access to quality relationships that refresh us. You canโt spend time with friends or family. If youโre single, you canโt date. If youโre a student, you canโt see your classmates. If youโre a sports fan, you canโt enjoy a game. If youโre a grandparent, you canโt play with your grandkids. No one your anxiety feels worse.
And if youโre feeling lonely and just want a hug from a friend, chances are you canโt have that either.
Unfortunately, the more you lose contact with the activities and relationships that reinvigorate you, the more despairing you feel. Is it any wonder that youโre feeling beaten down?
Embrace This Time of Self-Reflection
When youโre in motion, moving from place to place, your focus is outside of yourself. Frequently, you donโt have time to spend with your thoughts and feelings; youโre just too busy checking off your to-do list. But does a busy life necessarily mean a happy one?
For many, the quarantine has forced us to slow down, hit the pause button, and reflect on our choices. In this way, quarantine naturally pushes us toward greater mindfulness.
Related: Coronavirus Anxiety: 5 Things You Can Do To Beat It
Using the quarantine to move beyond anxiety and reboot your inner life
Resilience comes from winning the battle with your inner critic. It begins with quieting those negative voices and making room for more positive ones. To do that, youโll need a strategy.
1. Start where you are.
Rather than focusing on what you canโt do, focus on what you can. Take up a new hobby, challenge yourself to be more creative, tend to those tasks that youโre avoiding.
Stop worrying about things you canโt control, and be proactive about what you can.
2. Foster gratitude.
Gratitude is a force that can unleash tremendous trapped energy. It can lighten your load and refresh your outlook. Gratitude journals are an excellent tool for inspiring more gratefulness in your life.
If journaling isnโt for you, try writing a letter to someone you appreciate. Tell them how much they mean to you; not only will you make your day, youโll make theirs too.
3. Count your blessings.
With so much bad news coming at you, take time to recognize all the good things in your life. Negativity is like gravity; it pushes you down. Counting your blessings lifts you and reminds you that itโs still possible to find simple ways to enjoy life.
Related: How Mindfulness Can Help During Self Isolation When Feeling Anxious & Lonely
4. Praise yourself.
During stressful times, find a way to praise yourself. Go ahead, admire, and celebrate yourself. After all, youโre hanging in there; youโre still here, youโre still striving. Youโre like Rocky Balboa, still on your feet and fighting.
5. Stop complaining.
Complaining increases anxiety, drains your energy, dampens your spirits, and has a corrosive effect on your state of mind. It also promotes helplessness and telegraphs your victim status to the world.
Breaking the complaining habit wonโt be easy; it will require a force of will to redirect those impulses. But youโll start to feel better once you muster the courage to say, โThe complaint department is closed!โ
Written By Sean Grover
Originally Appeared In Sean Grover
If you are trying to heal your anxiety during quarantine, keep in mind that it is not going to happen overnight. These tips will help you only if you follow these regularly. It might seem tough, and overwhelming in the beginning, but hang in there; you can do it. It will just be a matter of time when your anxiety will no longer be able to control you.
If you want to know more about how you can heal your anxiety during quarantine, then check this video out below:
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