I Stole These Ideas — Maybe You Can Use?

If you’ve felt anxious, I might have something that’ll help.

Twin Lakes, California (Photo by Author)

In 2 months, we’ll be able to look back and say, “Hey, I got through 2020!”
If you’ve felt anxious this week, well, yeah, me too. Read on, I might have something that’ll help.

Last week, I visited my dad. As we ate at Polly’s Pies (his choice) I struggled to make conversation. He’s 81, a retired Presbyterian minister, and he suffers from dementia. I have no idea what to talk to him about.

So while I picked at my salad and he ate chicken pot pie, I asked him,
“Did you ever run out of sermon ideas? Have no idea what to write?”
“All the time,” he said.
“So what’d you do?”
“Oh, I’d just steal ideas from other people,” he replied.

(Not the answer I expected.)

“So, since I can’t think of anything to write this week, can I steal from you?”
“Let me check with my lawyers,” he winked.

So I’m stealing from my dad this week.

He wrote a sermon over 30 years ago about anxiety and getting through tough times. Apparently, we got through tough times then too.

Maybe you can use these ideas? (There are more from the NYT too.)

1. Deep breaths.
Anxiety often gets caught in our chest and throat, so we feel constricted. Let that belly out and breathe from your core.

2. Remind yourself that you have already gotten through many challenges.
Summon up that strength.

3. Go for a walk in nature.
Be beside still waters. If you can’t get outside, close your eyes and visualize yourself in a beautiful setting.

4. Reach out to others.
When we feel overwhelmed, we are underestimating ourselves. We are capable of so much more than we think.

There was a lot more to it, but most people like short sermons, so I’ll stop.

This week, my family and I are in the Sierras. (Making the most of my daughter’s senior year on Zoom.)
I came across a New York Times article online about managing election/pandemic anxiety. It also recommended walks among trees, deep breathing, watching birds, and even looking at pictures of nature if you can’t get outside. They also recommended getting rid of clutter and organizing. ( I haven’t tried those this week.)

Other tips: Make something.

Burn scented candles.

Take lavender baths.

Most importantly, accept the present moment. It won’t always feel like this.

At least that’s what I keep reminding myself.

Let me know what you’re doing to cope. I’d love to know.