£55 New Patient Consultation (Usually £92)
So, who would have thought that being asked to stay at home would have caused so much stress? And who would have thought that for some, having to still go to work would have made us so judgmental?
We certainly are in the middle of an interesting time, and it is not our words or opinions that will change anything. It is our consistent actions that will change everything.
Stress really has its basis in the emotion of anxiety, and anxiety is manifested from fear or worry of the unknown.
With all that is going on around us, there is a lot of unknown and therefore as a natural consequence there is a lot of anxiety. But what can we do? If no one really knows where this whole situation will end up, how can we possibly reduce or control our anxiety?
Well for what it is worth, here are my top tips as to what we can do. And it all comes down to focusing what is in our control right now and how can we keep our habits and routines alive. Keeping to our routines and installing some habits will give us certainty in what is to come, it will give us control over our lives and as such, it will reduce our stress and anxiety.
If you win the morning, you win the day. Before any distractions, make sure you start the day how you want it to go. Think positive, move your body, hydrate and have some quiet time.
It is so easy, if we are staying at home and not planning on seeing anyone all day, to just stay in our PJs or lounge wear. Don’t do it, make the effort, even if it’s just for you. You deserve it.
Be kind to yourself, make sure you continue to make great food choices. Especially now as the boredom sets in. Remember sugar in particular, will excite and torment your emotions. Keep the treats as a treat not the norm.
‘When the body moves, the mind grooves’. The fastest way to stimulate our brain in a positive way and drive a positive cascade of emotions is simply to move. Get up and dance regularly, who cares who is watching. Walk daily and enjoy that freedom that you do have to move.
Deep breathing has been shown to take your body out of its stress response, the fight and flight mode. Take 5 minutes every morning and evening to simply sit still, close your eyes and breathe. Breath in for 4 seconds, hold for 6 seconds and breath out for 8 seconds.
Good luck with this and remember, it is consistent action that counts, not just a one off.
With love
Dr Tom
