Mindfulness and Stress Management in 2021
2020 was a difficult year for almost everyone. Feelings of anxiety and isolation were prevalent as we sheltered in place and wore masks in public. Now, a year later, we do see hope on the horizon, but that means fatigue and burnout are setting in for many of us. If you’re still feeling raw, we wanted to provide a few ideas to help you reduce anxiety with mindfulness. We talked with Sharlette Winters of Balanced Pointe about her suggestions to reconnect and renew the body, mind, and spirit.
Focus on Breathing
There’s a reason a lot of meditation techniques require a focus on the breath. When you’re paying attention to your breathing, it can regulate your nervous system and reduce your body’s stress response. Even if you can’t find a quiet place to meditate, take a moment to sit where you are, close your eyes, and pay attention to your breathing.
Somatic Experience
Sharlette suggests using this exercise to help you breathe through stress. “identify the stressful emotion and where you’re experiencing it in your body. Then bring your awareness to that area and breathe into it until the feeling dissipates.” As we are all experiencing a collective trauma to one degree or another, using this method can help us work through it.
Experience Stillness
Another technique you can incorporate into your daily routine is to experience stillness. This can feel easier said than done, but taking a few moments for yourself to sit quietly can make a huge difference. Try to block out all the noise of the world around you. That includes your internal monologue as well as all of the chatter that happens in our lives.
Pivot Emotions
“Notice what you’re feeling, give it recognition, and then ask yourself, ‘how do I want to feel?’” Sharlette tells us. “Energy follows thought,” so allowing yourself to target your current emotional state and concentrate on creating a new emotion to fill that space can help you move past it.
Connect with Nature
The one thing that’s been reinforced this entire year is that the outdoors is one of the healthiest places we can be. With the call to practice physical distancing, we were given an excuse to find solitude in nature. Connecting with nature through simple things like watching the sunrise, listening to the running waters in the rivers and mountains, or hearing bird songs can ease our spirits.
Ask for Help
The most important thing is to know that you don’t have to do this alone. This has been a hard year and if you can’t shake feelings of stress, panic, or anxiety, there are resources that can help in the Asheville community. Talk with your doctor about services available through your healthcare provider. Or check out these mental health services to learn more.
We care about our community, so let us know how you’re doing.
Do you want to know about the process to apply for a mortgage? GoPrime Mortgage in West Asheville is here to help. Call us today at 828-348-1907 –Zachery Adam at GoPrime Mortgage in West Asheville.
