Love Letters to an Anxious Brain, Part Two: The Body

Dear Anxious Brain,

First, do not lose hope.  Despair will tell you there is nothing to be done, that this is just the way things are.  It’s not true.  You, most of all, have the power to change your life.  It is very simple but very difficult: all you have to do is change your mind.

“Great!” you say.  “How do I start?”

We start with the body.

Breathe

First, breathe.  When you are anxious, you might not even notice how adrenaline has hijacked your body and prepared it for emergencies.  Turn your attention to your shoulders: notice that they have drifted to your ears, and left them relax.  Notice that your breathing is fast and shallow: slow down and try to fill your lungs with each long inhale.  Inhale through your nose, and exhale through your mouth.  As you relax your muscles and focus on your breathing, you will be able to think more clearly about what step to take next.

Sleep

Humans can do nothing well without sleep.  Sleep is when our bodies repair themselves, but anxiety can drive rest away and keep us awake at night counting our failures instead of sheep.  Our brains like routine: getting ready for bed at the same time each night, turning off screens a few hours before bed, and making your room quiet and dark will help draw sleep to you. Even getting up at the same time every day can help you restore your sleep schedule. 

Exercise

Exercise will help you fall asleep at night, and it’s also a great way to manage anxiety.  As we learned in our last installment, anxiety is a physical response to perceived danger.  The dangers we face now aren’t usually ones we can run away from or punch, but we still instinctively react physically.  Being active can help release that energy and return your body to a relaxed physical state.

“Great,” you say, “I’m physically relaxed now. But my mind keeps running ‘round in circles.  What now?”

Tune in next week for the next installment of the Love Letters to an Anxious Brain series to learn ways to manage your mind.

Ya Boi,

Ms. Sharpe

PS. If you are looking for support or tools to help manage your anxiety, consider using these resources:

Phone Lines
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness 1-855-242-3310
Vancouver Island Crisis Line
1‑888-494-3888

Apps
Booster Buddy
MindShift
Insight Timer
Calm

And remember…
You can always make an appointment to see Ms. Hillbrecht, Ms. Toole, or Kim Chadwick.