It’s been six months since COVID-19 took over the world, and we still don’t know for how long this new reality will last. During the last few months, the economy has plummeted, many people have lost their jobs, businesses shut down, and worst of all, hundreds of thousands of people have been affected by the virus, with thousands losing their lives to it.
There is no other way to say it: things are just crazy lately. And in this type of environment, emotions are heightened, particularly those associated with anxiety.
According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure. Though it’s normal to feel anxious in certain situations, sometimes it develops into a disorder. Usually, it’s when someone has recurring intrusive thoughts that may disrupt a person’s everyday routines. Sometimes people with anxiety disorders develop certain types of phobias and social tension.
If you find yourself going through disruptive anxious tendencies, please consult with a medical professional. As a reminder, I am not a medical expert and do not intend to be a substitute for professional medical/fitness/nutritional advice, diagnoses, or treatment.
However, I aim to promote awareness for peace of mind and mental health. There’s a lot of resources out there that can help you balance your mindset. Here are some blogs I highly recommend.
1. Tiny Buddha. Good thing there is no share button limit on this website. If you’re ever having a hard time navigating through your complex feelings, Tiny Buddha offers diverse content from multiple writers that can help realign your perspective.
When life gets overwhelming, the last thing we usually think of is sitting still and just breathing. For quick, simple advice that can ease life’s twists and turns, this blog has 2-minute reads that can quickly shift your day-like this post, for example: When Life Gets Hard: How to Find Peace Within the Chaos.
2. Anxiety Slayer. This website happens to be a podcast with over 7 million downloads. Hosts Shann and Ananga focus on mindfulness-based approaches to wellness, and they cover a wide range of topics about dealing with anxiety. I like them because their brand and messaging aim more towards women, which is similar to my advocacy.
Women’s lives today definitely hold many challenges, and it feels good to know that fellow women understand what we’re going through. It feels like talking to a friend. If you’re looking for tools and meditation techniques that can add more tranquility and clarity in your life, this podcast might be something you’d want to consider.
3. Zen Habits. If there’s one piece of advice that I consider profound about mental health, it’s the tiny habits we make every day that impact our lives. Zen Habits is a good place to remind yourself that even though things don’t always go the way you want it to, bad days don’t mean a bad life.
Their Archives page covers diverse topics on productivity, focus, stress-relief, mindfulness, and more. One cool thing that I like about their site is the Breathe button. Click on the link, and you’ll find out why.
4. Monica Berg/Rethink Life. Monica was a guest on Stellar Life Podcast and the reason why I invited her on my show is because we both share the same interest in Kabbalah. It is a Jewish belief system that deals with the essence of God. Kabbalah teaches deep and profound answers about humanity, hoping that we find peace within ourselves and our community.
Her weekly blog is something you’d want to look out for. Her poignant thoughts about life, happiness, and everything in between can really bring a different perspective, especially during challenging times.
5. Guy Finley/Life of Learning. Guy is another incredible guest on the show. His entire work- though it branches widely- is all about the art of letting go. And isn’t that what the anxious heart is challenged with? It’s so difficult to let go of worrying thoughts. However, if we implement what we learn, things eventually change for the better.
According to Guy, letting go is an inside job. It begins with understanding that our experience- moment to moment- is born of our relationship with our own consciousness. His blogs hold answers and advice for spiritual discovery.
6. Gretchen Rubin. She’s the bestselling author of The Happiness Project, Better Than Before, Outer Order, Inner Calm, and more. Gretchen is all about finding ways to become happier, healthier, and better in general.
Finding ways to stay creative relieves anxious tendencies. Often, when you’re doing what you love, you rarely think about the negative, and that’s why it’s so worth following Gretchen Rubin’s blogs and reading her books.
These are just six websites off the top of my head, but there’s so much more out there. Remember that whenever you feel overwhelmed, stressed out, or lonely, you are not alone. It’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay not to be okay. For more uplifting content, Stellar Life Podcast hosts several episodes on mindfulness. One of my favorite episodes was Sanjay Sabnani’s. I wish you light and love.
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