As the old adage goes, an idle mind is the devil’s playground and I feel this holds no truer than in my experience with depression and anxiety or sometimes, both.
More often than not, one leads to the other and thus I’m left at a loss, not knowing, no, not feeling the urge to do anything but hide.
Running away, hibernating at home curled up in bed, protecting ourselves from the outside world are actions that further compound the problem.
While this may be comforting, and though it’s difficult to take the first step, there are more productive ways we can channel our energy.
Depending on the individual and situation, there are a number of possibilities.
Small actions to take for healing:
Take a Walk
Create
Talk to Someone
When in panic and in peace
Of course, though, when experiencing anxiety, a different approach may be needed. In the event of a panic attack, being at home or in familiar surroundings actually might help someone soothe their nervous system and feel calm.
Panic attacks are different in that they are a lot more sneaky. They may arise at any time, without warning, which is an extremely unnerving experience. Personally, when this happens to me, I find that sitting in a washroom, thinking calm thoughts and practicing breathing exercises help me to cope.
During intermittent periods of calm and tranquility, I find that channeling my energy into practicing new hobbies such as learning a new language, or an art form, helps build mental resilience.
Understand your own needs
These suggestions may not work for everyone; we have to remember that we are all wonderfully unique. Find an outlet that works for you and nurtures your authentic self.
Approach your healing from a place of exploring and understanding yourself. These ‘distractions’ aren’t really just distractions, they’re instead a reminder that we’re more than the sum of our mental frustrations; we are fighters.
H.O.P.E Alliance
H.O.P.E. Alliance is a community of people who believe that persons living with emotional and mental distress are the seekers of their own journey of recovery.
We wholeheartedly believe that recovery is for everyone, and that anyone can be a source of support to others walking the journey.
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