We’ve been here before: Coronavirus cases surging, loved ones falling ill, cancelled plans, and the stress of it all gnawing you from the inside. The latest and most unwelcome guest of the year, Omicron has enveloped everything with uncertainty, especially the way we go about our daily routines. Watching the number of cases ebb and rise can trigger anxiety. To find ways to better manage that, we reached out to Dishaa Desai, a clinical psychologist at Mumbai-based Mpower, and Mehezabin Dordi, a clinical psychologist at the Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre.
“Anxiety affects different people differently and the symptoms and severity are wide-ranged. They can influence various aspects of our lives, therefore understanding the signs and symptoms is important,” explains Dordi.
Some common signs of anxiety that are often overlooked
Desai tells us that “Excessive planning can be a sign that is often overlooked as it is usually considered a positive trait or habit. It crosses the healthy threshold when you start feeling unable to cope when things don’t go according to your plan. High level of guilt over past decisions, dwelling on minor details along with excessive self-criticism are all signs of anxiety.”
Dordi explains, “Having a hard time making decisions, staying focused, or concentrating are some signs of anxiety. This stems from the fear of making bad choices and dealing with possible negative outcomes.” She adds that anxiety can a toll on your body because it tends to make you feel like you’re on edge, 24/7. “It may cause your heart to beat rapidly and you might feel tensed,” she explains. “Anxiety also comes with worrying that doesn’t stop. This makes people look at potential problems and worst-case scenarios in most situations, ultimately preventing them from participating in activities or events. It can also make you angry because your feels may seem overwhelming and out of your control.”
10 exercises that can help manage anxiety
“There are some grounding exercises that can help manage anxiety but it is also important to know that it is normal to feel some levels of it about the current situation,” explains Desai.
She recommends trying out the following tips:
1. The five senses exercise
“Use this to realign yourself to your surroundings. Pick up five things you can see, list out four things you can smell, three things you can feel, two things you can taste, and one thing you can hear,” says Desai.
2. Box breathing
“Inhale and exhale deeply whilst holding your breath for one count. This will help slow down your heart rate and will feel physically soothing. Regulating your physiological reactions will help your emotions to adapt as well,” she explains.
3. Connect with your body
“When we feel distressed, our body may react physiologically. Being mindful of it can help remedy that. Take time out to try out simple things like breathing exercises, a shower or just splashing water on your face. These measures will activate your senses and bring you back to the present moment,” suggests Desai.
4. Journal
“This exercise will give your anxious thoughts a tangible place to go to which in turn will help you to understand your emotions better,” explains Desai.
5. Listen to music
“Research has shown that even a short amount of time spent focusing on soothing music can help lower the intensity of anxiousness. Try creating a playlist specifically for moments of anxiety and then tap into it when needed,” recommends Desai.
Dordi adds, “Being uncomfortable in an uncomfortable situation is normal and expected. Like all emotions, anxiety is healthy, and we’re all prone to feeling it sometimes.”
Here are her top tips to manage anxiety:
6. Count your breaths
When you’re anxious, the way you’re breathing changes. “You tend to breathe in a shallow way, though your chest instead of your belly. Try abdominal breathing or count as you inhale and exhale,” explains Dordi.
7. Move
In the long-term, exercise can have a positive impact on your mood and in the moment, it lowers anxiety. “When you're in fight-or-flight mode, moving your body can make a big difference because it flushes the stress chemicals out of your body,” explains Dordi.
8. Remind yourself of how temporary this is
“Recap all the times you’ve survived feeling anxious and remind yourself that this is a brief hiccup. Fighting the way you feel can actually lead to more anxiety so knowing your symptoms can make them feel less scary and threatening,” adds Dordi.
9. Be self-compassionate
When anxiety strikes, Dordi recommends being your own supporter. “It is crucial that we try being kinder to ourselves and remember that we are not our thoughts. Think of your thoughts as distress signals from your brain. We all have negative thoughts sometimes but these don't have to lead to action or define who you are” she explains.
10. Reach out to loved ones
“Loneliness is a fertilizer for other diseases and the biology of it can accelerate many physical and physiological signs of anxiety. Dealing with anxiety can often feel like a very isolating experience. Therefore, it is critical to reach out to friends, family, and colleagues in meaningful ways,” explains Dordi. She suggests opting for visual means of communication when possible like Zoom, FaceTime, or Skype or at the very least, a voice call.
When to reach out for professional help
“When it crosses the threshold of healthy anxiousness and starts interfering with one’s functioning is when one can reach out for help,” explains Desai. She adds, “It can benefit you to reach out for support before you reach this stage as there doesn’t need to be a crisis that causes you to reach out for support. You can consider therapy even if it is to explore what might be impacting your wellbeing or to understand certain roots of feelings.”
Dordi agrees and adds, “The idea is that when our feelings of anxiousness begin to overpower us when they affect different areas of life or simply make it difficult for us to function, that’s when you need help.”