10 Strategies for Managing Anxiety When You’re Stuck at Home
After over a year of being at home, you’re likely thinking "It’s been too long. I'm sick of it. I'm over it!" For some, the pandemic has meant isolation, for others it has meant managing working and home-schooling kids and for others spending endless time with your spouse. Many have lost their jobs and sense of financial security. While new moms and dads have struggled with the exhaustion and anxiety of being a new parent with limited help due to social distancing requirements. The last year has changed our lives and relationships in countless ways.
While there is hope on the horizon with the vaccine, most people are fed up. The constraints have led to increased stress and anxiety for numerous individuals. Research has shown COVID-19 to have considerable effects on mental health, psychological and emotional well-being. Additionally, mental health affects physical wellness, which can contribute to illness. Yet, there is hope and there are ways to cope.
Here are 10 tips for dealing with feelings of anxiety while at home:
1. Reframe how you are thinking about the isolation. For instance, rather than saying “I am stuck inside, try to say, “I can finally focus on my home and myself”
2. Stay close to your normal routine. For example, wake up at the same time every morning, have mealtimes, create specific work and leisure or family times
3. Limit the coronavirus coverage, whether on news channels or social media
4. Keep your home organized
5. Reach out to family or friends via video streaming
6. Take a walk or take some time to move your body (yoga, dance-it-out, stretch)
7. Spend time in nature
8. Practice mindfulness for a few minutes each day. This can happen at anytime, while taking a shower, washing dishes or stepping out to get the mail
9. Start journaling what you are grateful for daily
10. Eat healthy balanced meals and get adequate sleep
If you are feeling overwhelmed or need more help with coping, reach out today.
Anxiety Treatment in Chicago and Illinois
At Mindful Healing Counseling, we understand the challenges of living with anxiety. That's why our team comprises several therapists specialized in anxiety treatment, offering counseling services virtually to individuals residing in Chicago and throughout Illinois.
Our therapists are experienced and trained in working with people dealing with various concerns such as anxiety, trauma, depression, pregnancy and postpartum concerns, relationship difficulties, life transitions, setting boundaries, managing family dynamics, navigating grief, and more. We prioritize providing affirming spaces for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals. We offer a range of evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based approaches, relational therapy, and more. Our services extend to adults of all ages, as well as teens, college students, couples, and families.
Reach out to us today. You can contact us by filling out our contact form or by calling or texting us at 708-419-3171. We're here to support you every step of the way.
