Everything seems fine but isn’t. You feel sad, anxious, stressed, uneasy, lost, and confused. Most of us have been there one or the other times. With the constant clatter and overload of information, there has been a steep rise in these emotions recently.
I have been there too and it is okay not to feel okay! Here are few quick tips that have helped me in dealing with stress and anxiety in my journey so far.
Meditate
I just can’t describe the positive shift meditation has brought in my life. It helps in calming your mind and making you feel centered. To reap the benefits out of this magical practice, perseverance is the key. It might seem difficult initially to include a new element in your daily routine, but 5 minutes is all you need for starters. There are multiple guided/ unguided meditation sessions available on the internet today. Just pick the one you like, give it some time, and you would thank me later!
Yoga & Exercise
Certain chemicals in our brain are considered to be responsible for feel-good emotions. Extensive studies have proved that yoga and exercise uplifts your mood by increasing the level of feel-good chemicals like dopamine. No, need to sign up with a gym and pay a hefty amount. Many apps and online resources are providing free/ minimally-priced exercise and yoga services these days.
Connect with loved ones
Being socially active and connected with your loved ones helps in breaking the cycle of negative thoughts. Reaching out to your parents/ siblings/ friends/ anyone you love and sharing your emotions can provide you happiness and much-needed support. Sometimes we feel hesitant in sharing our feeling with the people we love as we do not want to burden them with our problems. But just remember your wellbeing is all they want.
Journal your feelings
Have you ever felt stormed with series of negative thoughts and segregating one thought from another is no less than solving a puzzle?
Take out your notebook/ mobile/ laptop and jot down your thoughts. Putting down your feeling helps in providing clarity about your thought process, provides the much-needed emotional release, and many times it helps in identifying the main problem. You may wish to write daily, once a week, create a detailed journal or just mention key bullet points, that’s your choice. How about trying this tip the next time you feel stressed?
Identify your stress busters
Certain activities act as stress busters for different people. Some people feel calmer after taking a shower, some after a cup of tea, listening to music, watching a feel-good movie. The list is never-ending and unique for everyone. Often this includes activities we love doing in general, like painting or cooking or dancing. All you need is a bit of trial and error to find the activities that uplift your mood and just go for it next time you feel low.
Just move
This tip was shared by one of my best friends. The moment you feel low, get up and start moving, maybe try a few dance moves, bris walking, or but just move. This breaks the chain of negative thoughts and gives you some time to relax.
I hope these tips and tricks help you in dealing with the day-to-day stress and anxiety and enlightens your mood. In case you feel overwhelmed with negative emotions, please reach out to a medical practitioner/therapist.
Here are some organizations in India, which are providing support to people dealing with stress, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
Samaritans Mumbai
Services: Emotional support for people going through stress, despair, suicidal thoughts and feelings (Free services)
Location: Pan India
Helpline Numbers: +91-84229 84528 / +91-84229 84529 / +91-84229 84530
Timings: 5 pm – 8 pm (For Helpline Numbers) ; 10 am – 4 pm (Mon – Fri ) (For appointment for counselling services)
Languages: English, Hindi
Website: http://samaritansmumbai.org/
Citta India
Services: Free counseling for COVID Patients
Location: Pan India
Helpline Numbers: +91-9981857665/ +91-7208107955
Timings: 9 am – 11 pm
Languages: English, Hindi
Website: https://www.citta.org.in/
Covidav
Services: Therapy & Mental health consultation ( Free Services)
Location: Pan India
For Appointment: Email at hello@covidav.com
Languages: English, Hindi, Marathi, Konkani, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam
Website: https://covidav.com/
Parivarthan
Services: Counselling by trained professionals ( Free Services)
Location: Pan India
Contact: +91-7676602602
Timings: 1 pm – 10 pm (Monday – Friday)
Languages: English, Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Punjabi, Haryanvi
Website: http://www.parivarthan.org/
Connecting NGO
Services: Listening support for people feeling distressed and/or suicidal
Location: Pan India
Contact: +91-9922004305 / +91-9922001122
Timings: 12 pm – 8 pm
Languages: English, Hindi
Website: https://connectingngo.org/
Aasra
Services: Counselling & Suicide prevention (Free Services)
Location: Pan India
Contact: +91-9820466726
Timings: 24*7
Languages: English, Hindi
Website: http://aasra.info/
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