If I asked you this time last year what your 2020 would look like, what would you have said? Would you be celebrating your graduation? Rockin’ it at work or school? Travelling around the world?
Would your plans have included a global pandemic?
Everybody has been impacted by COVID-19. Even if you and your circle were lucky enough to remain untouched by the virus, I’m sure that it still disrupted your life in a major way. Whether you were missing out on major life events or just missing spending time with family and friends, this period of history will always be remembered as a time of loss and loneliness. Especially for anyone who struggles with low mood or anxious thoughts, the uncertainty of this situation can feel crushing.
I recently heard a quote from Timber Hawkeye that resonated strongly with me, especially in this uncertain time we’ve found ourselves in. It goes like this:
“You can’t calm the storm. Calm yourself. The storm will pass.”
The world certainly feels stormy right now. And thinking about all the variables that are out of your control can paralyze you with fear. How can you stay calm when it feels like everything is crashing down around you? Here are the top tips that have helped me quiet my mind in the face of uncertainty.
- Embrace your emotions.
I have a challenge for you: for the next 30 seconds of your life, don’t think about pink elephants.
“Pink elephants?” You might say, “I’ve gone my whole life without thinking about pink elephants. This should be easy!” But you’ll be surprised by how hard it is. No matter what you think about to try and distract yourself, you’ll constantly have pink elephants in the back of your mind. Once you try to not think about them, it will be all you can think about.
The same goes for your stresses and worries. It’s easy to say that you’re just not going to think about them. But will they ever really be out of your mind?
I hate hearing people comfort others by saying “don’t worry”. Of course you’re going to worry. In order to work through your emotions, you need to acknowledge and accept the way that you’re feeling, rather than denying yourself these negative emotions. It’s okay to not know what the future is going to look like. It’s okay to feel stressed. Accepting these feelings is the first step to gaining power over them rather than letting them control your life.
2. Focus on what you can control.
In this uncertain world, it’s easy to feel like you have no control over what’s happening around you. In some situations, you might be right. But there are still lots of things that you can control. Every little choice that you make everyday is a way that you still have agency over your own life.
Most importantly, remember that you have control over your most important asset – yourself. You can’t change what’s happening in the world around you, but you are the master of what happens in your own mind.
3. Breathe.
Never underestimate the calming power of a good deep breath! When life gets overwhelming, step back and take time to just breathe.
There are lots of breath techniques that can help relax your mind. My personal favourite is 3-6 breathing. It’s simple yet effective – a deep breath in for 3 seconds followed by a longer 6-second exhale. Just try a few cycles of it while feeling your pulse. What do you notice? Longer exhalations slow down your heart rate, helping to bring you back from the brink of panic. When you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, take a step back and just breathe. Breathing is also a cornerstone of my next recommendation – meditation!
4. Try meditation.
Meditation has been scientifically proven to help reduce stress and control anxiety. And the best thing about meditation and mindfulness is that there are hundreds of different ways to do it, and there’s bound to be one that works for you!
One of the most important things meditation teaches you is to live in the moment. You don’t obsess over the past or worry about the future; you are completely present in the moment you’re living in. When you start to feel stressed about the world around you, meditation can be the perfect way to step back into the here and now.
Unsure about where to start? There are lots of wonderful apps, like Headspace, or guided YouTube videos that can help you begin meditating. Even just learning to notice your thoughts and analyze how and why you’re thinking about something can be a great first step in a mindfulness journey.
5. Develop healthy habits.
Finally, use this time to work on yourself and create healthy habits that can follow you after quarantine. Not only will exercise, sleep, and healthy eating fuel your body, but they can also help you cope with stress. When your body is well taken care of, it’s easier to keep your mind calm.
Feeling unmotivated to get off the couch or switch out your snacks for a healthier choice? Check out last week’s post on willpower here.
Above all, remember that you’re not alone in what you’re feeling right now. We’re all on this journey together. And one way or another, someday this storm will calm.
Wonderful tips. This article reminds me of a quote from Viktor Frankl, who survived 4 concentration camps. “Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
How adversity affects us lies in our reaction than the circumstance.
What a beautiful quote! Thank you so much for sharing. I couldn’t agree more – your reaction is everything. I hope you’re staying safe and doing well!
Love this! This is so what I needed right now. Living in Ontario has been particularly difficult as we have been hard hit. I still have not been able to see family or my partner for almost three months now – To see individuals on a daily basis breaking social distancing and doing as they please has been hard. These tips are really what I needed to boost my mood and just kind of calm me down. Great post!
Thank you so much, Sierra! I’m so happy my post could bring you a little piece of calm. Sending lots of love and positive vibes your way!
Meditation has helped me tremendously especially during these times. Thank you so much for this post, more people needs to hear this xx
You’re so welcome! Thanks so much for your comment and take care.
Thanks for the post, it’s lovely! I really liked what you’ve mentioned under the tip #2, saying that we should focus on what we can control. Sometimes I’m guilty of this, thinking I can control everything around me, and get mad when things come out not as I’d plan them 🤦🏻♀️
Thank you so much, Alexandra! I totally know what you mean – I think it’s natural to want things to go your way. But letting go of the things you can’t control is such a powerful tool for your mental health!
Thank you so much, Covid-19 has been so hard so I’ll definitely try to use some of these!
Thank you, Katie! I’m so happy you found it helpful. Stay safe and take care ❤️
Thank you so much for this! The content is very relatable right now. Some great tips.
Thank you so much! I’m so happy you enjoyed it. Take care!
Love this article! I find breathing really helps calm me. ❤️
Yes, I totally agree! It sounds so simple but breathing has helped me through so many tough moments in my life. Thank you so much for reading!
This article is in fact a fastidious one it helps
new web users, who are wishing for blogging.
After looking at a number of the blog articles on your blog, I
truly appreciate your way of writing a blog. I added it to
my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon.
Take a look at my website too and let me know your opinion.
What’s up, its nice post concerning media print, we all be aware of media is a
enormous source of information.
Hi there it’s me, I am also visiting this web page daily, this
website is in fact fastidious and the people are actually sharing fastidious thoughts.
Hello! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was
wondering which blog platform are you using for this site?
I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform.
I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
Fantastic goods from you, man. I have be aware your stuff prior to
and you are simply extremely fantastic. I really like what you’ve got right here, really like what you are stating and the
best way wherein you assert it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to
stay it wise. I cant wait to read much more from you.
That is really a tremendous site.
Hi, constantly i used to check weblog posts here in the early
hours in the dawn, because i love to find out more and more.
Great post. I used to be checking constantly this weblog and
I’m impressed! Very helpful information particularly
the last part 🙂 I care for such info much. I used to be seeking this certain information for a long time.
Thank you and best of luck.
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back
to your weblog? My website is in the very same area of interest as yours and my visitors would really benefit from some of the information you provide here.
Please let me know if this alright with you. Appreciate it!
My web blog: http://www.meteoritegarden.com
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for hemp crop
my website – Insights CBD Gummies
Thank you for the good writeup. It if truth be told was once a leisure account it.
Glance advanced to far added agreeable from you! However, how can we keep in touch?
my homepage: Insights CBD Gummies Reviews
I was looking at some of your posts on this internet site and I conceive this
web site is really informative! Retain putting up.
Stop by my homepage – Captive Skin Face Cream
Well I truly enjoyed reading it. This post provided by you is very helpful for proper planning.
Also visit my page; Semzia Brain Reviews
Hello to every single one, it’s in fact a good for me to pay a quick visit this web site, it consists of valuable Information.
Nice post. I used to be checking constantly this blog and I am
impressed! Extremely useful information particularly
the final part 🙂 I Luiresse Skin Care for such information much.
I used to be seeking this certain info for a very long time.
Thank you and good luck.
Hello, after reading this amazing paragraph i am as well
cheerful to share my experience here with colleagues.
Here is my blog: Primal Testo XL Reviews
We still cannot quite think I could always be one of those studying the important suggestions found on your site.
My family and I are truly thankful for the generosity and for presenting me the chance
to pursue my own chosen career path. Thanks for the important information I got from your web-site.
Here is my webpage – Juan
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark
your weblog and check again here frequently. I am quite certain I will learn lots of new stuff right
here! Good luck for the next!
Here is my site Infinuity CBD Review
It’s very trouble-free to find out any matter on net as compared to books,
as I found this piece of writing at this web site.
my web page; Wellness Xcel Keto Review