As a high-strung person, I pride myself on never being late for appointments, on having an orderly home and being very organized. One of my drawbacks is my anxiety can rise when life does not go exactly as planned. Sometimes, I find it challenging to cope with every day ‘hiccups’. Little issues that some people would let roll off their backs may set my anxiety in motion.
Over the years I have found some coping techniques that seem to help me find my inner peace in my imperfect world.
Be My Own Best Friend
If my friend discusses a problem with me and is looking for advise I am happy to help her. Usually, looking at the problem as an outsider helps me make more rational solutions to the problem. So when I am having a problem, I pretend I am ‘talking it out’ with a friend. I explain what the issue is and then try to see the problem as if I were someone on the outside. Usually, I am able to have a clearer view of the issue and more sensible resolutions to the problem (rather than just hand wringing and walking around in a circle).
Tea and Cookies
It may seem rather simple but when I am feeling overwhelmed by an issue and I can’t stop thinking about it I brew a cup of tea and have cookies with it. As I sit there, drinking and dipping, I feel my anxiety lessen and my inner peace return. I’m not quite sure why this works, it could be the repetitive motion that gets my mind off my latest ‘catastrophe’ or it could be the soothing tea? Perhaps it’s the cookies-yes, probably the cookies. For me, cookies help.
My Other Best Friend
Having recently adopted a dog, I have found that my dog has become quite a stress reliever for me. Not only are our daily long walks good for my mind and body but just watching him do silly things or snuggling up to him just seems to calm me down and quiet my mind.
Physical Work
Sometimes, when a stressor keeps playing in my mind repeatedly, I find that tackling a large physical chore in my home sets it to the side. Cleaning out a closet or organizing my basement shelves means I am concentrating on the task at hand and don’t have the time to keep worrying about my problem. And once I have completed my project I get a sense of accomplishment and pride at a job well done. Doing this helps me feel more confident and then I am more able to rationally think about my issue and resolve it without the over-worrying.
I tend to blow simple problems out of proportion and I find using the techniques listed above helps me rein in my worries and gives me more peace and calmness in my day.
I found more tips on how to stay calm here: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/science-has-these-10-things-keep-calm-under-pressure.html
