As I learned to manage my anxiety and understand my recovery, I discovered several practices that worked for me. I encourage you review. these ideas and consider them as thought starters, I am old when it comes to fucking my life up with an anxious mind.
2 min readMay 27, 2023
- Take time out: Meditate for 10–30 minutes every day without any interruptions. If you cannot find 30 minutes, do it for any minutes but find a way to unplug and calm your mind every day.
- Avoid energy drinks and high caffeine intake: Caffeine is a drug, and if you use it, something will be out of balance. High mental prices for energy drinks and stimulants make them unsuitable for daily use.
- Get enough sleep: Sleep deprivation is a significant health concern, and if you want less anxiety, your brain cannot be in survival mode. Develop a disciplined sleep practice, aim for 8 hours of sleep, and try to hit that goal more often than not.
- Daily exercise: Walk every day or find a form of exercise that works for you. It may take time, but making exercise a part of your daily routine can significantly reduce anxiety and help you stay present.
- Find a calming moment: Stop and take deep breaths for the count of ten when you have an actual first dart and are trying to avoid the second dart.
- Just do your best: The idea that things have to be 100% all the time is a total myth. Finding ways to do your best and accepting that sometimes that’s it is essential.
- Accept that you cannot control everything: Focus on what you can control and forget what you cannot.
- Be funny and laugh: Life is a big joke, and laughter is the icing on the cake. Take time to laugh and find humor in everyday moments.
- Chew your food: Slow down and enjoy the moments that make up the day. This can be the most rewarding practice in recovery.
- Stay positive: Perpetually permeate positivity and feel better.
- Get into service: Serving and finding a purpose in recovery can alleviate boredom and anxiety.
- Learn your triggers: Journal for a few weeks to figure out what triggers your anxiety. Is it work, family, school, or all of the above?
- Reach out: Share with a friend or family member when things are hard, lighten the load, gain perspective, and stay clean and sober. Identify good empathetic listeners in your life and reach out to them. Consider therapy, face to face, on line, be flexible.
