I shared this in another post but I think it could be helpful for someone else about some things to practice to deal with anxiety. Maybe you can put them in your anxiety first aid kit. 😄
Breathing and meditation are good for me but not always so that's when I try to switch it up.
I sometimes go for a walk and try to focus on what I see and being present.
Journaling is also really helpful for me. It helps me identify the underline belief that's causing the thoughts that are making me anxious.
You see normally the problem is not the problem. We think anxiety is the problem which is actually not. Anxiety is like a fire alarm is not the fire itself. We then think our thoughts are the problem but I will say they are just the smoke and not the fire itself. So, what would be the fire? I will say it's the interpreter of our thoughts. See the problem is that we have an interpreter saying things to us in our head about our thoughts that are just lies. For example, if I don't deal with x right now something bad will happen. The interpreter is saying right now which is a lie. Another one could be, I'm anxious because there's something wrong with me and I'm bad or something like that. Again, a lie.
What can you do? Fire the interpreter. Say: "you know what? I'm ok. I don't need to solve anything right now unless it's an actual fire and that's the fire department job. I don't need fixing or get things the way I want to to feel safe. I'm not my thoughts nor I'm anxiety. I'm just the observer and I'm safe with myself."
Thoughts will keep popping but with kindness and patience you can keep refocusing on being present, love yourself and let go of fear.
It's a process, a journey if you will. And it's not about arriving but about enjoying the journey itself. The goal it's not to be perfect but to be present and grow little by little in being loving and compassionate with ourselves and share that with others.
Hope this helps.
Virtual hug 🫂