Is this pandemic making you feel anxious?
Do you wonder when it will be over and what the “new normal” will look like?
Are you concerned about the new form of the virus that is attacking children? MISC = Multiple Inflammatory Syndrome in Children
Do you feel anxious because the number of deaths continues to grow and there doesn’t seem to be anything you can do to stop it?
If so, you are not alone.
The meme at the top of this message tells us that we are not totally at the mercy of helpless anxiety. There are some things we can do to reduce our anxiety:
- Go outside
- Ask for help
- Create something
- Drink water
- Write about how you feel
- Take a deep breath
- Listen to soothing songs
- Stay present
- Find a positive distraction
All those ideas are fine and dandy if all we care about is reducing our own anxiety. But what if what we care about is helping to alleviate others’ suffering? What if we want to play some role in shortening this COVID-19’s life-span?
One of those items on the list hit me as an action that can do more than just alleviate MY anxiety… and it can help others as well. Which one do you think it is?
Here are a couple of clues:
CREATE SOMETHING!
I have a several friends who are eliminating their feelings of helplessness in the face of this virus by using their creativity – – – they are making masks and sending them to the local hospital, the nursing home, and sending them to places where masks are in short supply.
Also, other creative people are using the internet to draw people together, creating inspirational videos to lift spirits. Check this one out:
There are so many ways people are using their creativity to relieve anxiety, bring hope, and send out messages of love and faith.
We are not helpless.
We are not hopeless.
We don’t need to sit idly at home feeling anxious.
Let’s put our heads together safely,
activate our creativity,
find an anxiety antidote
that uses our talents
to help ourselves and others
get through this period
with love and encouragement.
What we do matters!
Tell me,
what will you do today?
Comments on: "Anxiety Antidotes" (18)
Excellent advice Jan… You know me.. Always outside, always creating… And always letting go of anxiety… Living in the Now,
This morning at 7-30am I went with hubby to walk to our allotment plot.. I spent an hour watering by carrying watering cans to and fro …. I planted more radish, I picked ripe radish, a lettuce and some purple sprouting broccoli.. .. I planted more Kidney bean seeds as the ones which had already pushed through the severe frost we have had several nights in a row has killed them off… So planted again…
I then came home hung out the washing, and now having my cup of tea at 11am in the morning here Jan…
I am now going to sit in my reader for an hour before lunch.. After lunch I may take a nap, I may not.. But I have a painting that has been buzzing around my head for two weeks I want to start on a new canvas.. My last canvas I have… So I want to make sure I have the image clear in my mind as i feel its going to be a special painting.. 🙂 LOL…
So dearest Jan.. that is my day.. and most days are similar…
I have lots to do and do not worry anymore.. take each day as it arrives, and know I am perfectly safe in the arms of the creator what ever happens..
Sending HUGE hugs your way Jan.
Thank you for being YOU for sharing your Love and your Light and your inspiration..
If the world had more of you, it would already be Utopia… 🙂 <3 <3 <3
I want you for a next door neighbor! What a wonderful addition you’d be to our “hood,” Sue. Your day sounds wonderfully ambitious. You have lots more planned than I do! Right now I’m up here in my sanctuary looking out at another gray sky, drizzly day. But, the doves are cooing and Rita Robin is in and out of her nest. I can see her when I’m at my dining table. I know she has eggs in there. Life goes on and the hope for new life and new growth inspires us both. I hope our positivity inspires others, too. Your garden sounds amazing. I love ❤️ radish greens! 🥬 and fresh-from-the-garden lettuce. Yum!!
love your view of nature Jan.. We too have a robin nesting and blackbird and sparrows. If you go here Jan if you have time… This is the link to my Garden blog… So you will see my allotment plot where I grow my veggies.. I made a small video of our plot. So you will get an idea of what I get up to.. 😀 https://dreamwalkergarden.wordpress.com/2020/05/03/a-video-update-of-april/
Sending Love dearest Jan.. <3
Your garden video is wonderful! I’m super impressed. Now I REALLY wish you were my neighbor, Sue. I detect a British accent. Are you in England?
I live in England yes Jan…. Not far from Sherwood Forest and Robin Hood Country.. 🙂 Thank YOU for taking time to watch and Big smiles and big hugs returned Jan.. <3
Thanks so much Jan. Great list and reminders of what we CAN do in the midst of what we can’t do. For those who live alone, this time can be especially hard. I find Skype or FaceTime very helpful in sensing “face to face” connection. I spent an hour on Skype with my sister-in-law in Coventry, England yesterday. I’ve already been out for a walk with Hannah Montana this morning. My excitement for today is a trip to the Ennis grocery store. For that I’ll have to deliberate about what to wear. 😷 other than a mask, that is!
Come by! We can socially distance easily here. Wanna have lunch with me? I’d love it! 🤗❤️
Soooo delighted to have time with you! And we were pretty good at social distancing, weren’t we? Very hard!! I longed to give you a great big hug!!! {{{hug}}}}
Heading out into the world to run errands that can no longer wait……….I leave with a prayer, a mask and love in my heart for others……….
God bless you, Wendi! 🙏🏽❤️
thank you Jan……and many blessings to you this day!
Thank you for these suggestions for destiny with anxiety (and stress) and for thinking of others as well. I had a lovely 5 mile walk last night on the B&A trail. It was a perfect way to transition from my frustrating, long work day to a relaxing evening. The Black locust trees line the walk path for miles and the blossoms smell so delicious. The birds were chirping, the bees were buzzing and pollinating the blackberry bushes and the temperature was a perfect 70°.
Destiny = dealing (thanks autocorrect)
Your walk sounds like the perfect antidote!! Good for you, LainaLainaLaina!! Thanks for sharing. I walked vicariously with you 🥰👍🏽
Happy weekend
Thank you, Eliza. I pray you have a happy, healthy one, too. ❤️🙏🏽
One thing I can attest to is that music works. Another think is, we watch less news and still stay informed.
Yes, Marva. Music works!! I majored in music therapy in college. It’s based on the Iso Principle: match the music to the patient’s mood, then slowly change the mood of the music, and the patient’s mood changes with it. I used that principle in my classroom everyday when I became an elementary school teacher. Kids would come in hyper from recess. I’d play some hyper music as they entered and then as they took their seats, I’d slow the music down and give them time to slow down their heartbeats and sync with the slower rhythm of whatever I played next. Then we’d sing our way to the next subject: “It’s math time, math time, time to have some fun. Turn to page xxx, time to get math done!” And by the time we finished that little tune, their books were out, turned to the right page, and we were ready to roll!!! Music worked then. Music works now. It’s part of the reason I have started to add You.tube music (like today’s “Hello Dolly”) to my blog. I hope you enjoyed it. I hope “Hello God” inspired you. It inspired me! <3