How To Keep Calm During Stressful Times

How to calm your energy during stressful times

By Vanessa Marie Dewsbury

Times are very stressful right now as we face a world crisis together in regards to the Coronavirus. Emotions are high, energy is tense, and fear, stress, and worry has overcome many of us.
 
During these times it’s important that we take good care of our emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual health. When we are stressed, our immune system is lowered thus potentially allowing illness and dis-ease to enter our bodies more easily. Take this time to take care of yourself so that you can take care of those around you.
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Recognize and acknowledge your feelings

It’s okay that you’re feeling anxious, scared, fearful, angry. You have every right to your emotions. What’s important is that you recognize your feelings and acknowledge them, otherwise you are denying parts of yourself that want to be felt, seen, and heard right now.

​When we ignore our feelings, the energy of the emotions that were created remain active in the cells of our body. Acknowledging our emotions put simply, is how we release them. When we release them in a healthy way, we decrease stress, tension, and anxiety. Another way our body releases stress is through tears. Our tears act as a safety valve by releasing excess stress hormones such as cortisol. Chronic elevated levels of these hormones can cause physical ailments and negatively effect our mood and emotions. As stress often precedes a good cry, the sense of calm you experience afterward is the result of the hormonal release.

​It may also be helpful to use a journal to freely express your thoughts and feelings. Journals are a great tool and outlet where you can openly share how you are feeling, knowing that you will not be judged or criticized. Let it out by writing it out.

"I'm able to control and minimize the stress from major life challenges and changes."

Do things that feed your soul

Now more than ever it’s vital to do things that feed your soul and nourish your mind and body. Consider right now the perfect time to reconnect with self and reflect on areas in your life where you may have neglected or ignored what your inner being has been craving.

There are many things you can do, such as listening to Meditations, going for walks and connecting with Mother Nature, or engaging in Yoga practices such as, Restorative Yoga, which is soothing and healing for your mind, body, and soul. You can also enjoy a good book while taking a candle-lit cleansing bath with Epson Salts and essential oils like Lavender or Ylang Ylang; I call these Spiritual Baths. Other things you can do to feed your soul are creative activities such as painting, drawing, knitting, colouring, or putting together a puzzle. 

Anything that you enjoy doing, do it. It's also good to try something new and different. Give yourself some relief from any chaos in your current reality so you can keep your energy calm and strong.

"I have let go of mentally replaying negative situations in my mind."
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Pay attention to your thoughts

​It’s hard not to fall victim to our own thoughts at times, to allow them take over and control our entire being. What our thoughts can do, however, is affect our emotional state. When you have a "negative" thought come up that you feed energy to, it then grows. As it grows it turns into an emotion, and our emotions are known to control our actions and behaviours and can make us respond from an "irrational" place of high emotion and put us in a state of intense anxiety.

To stop a “negative” thought in its tracks, ask yourself, "does this thought serve me purpose, and is it feeding the energy of love, or fear?" These questions create an interruption in our thought pattern and can help us choose new thoughts that are more empowering and healthier for our wellbeing and state of mind.

​We also want to be mindful of what, and who, we allow into our energy field. When we are bombarded with fear-based news and articles flooding our social feeds, it’s easy to get pulled into the "darkness." But nothing good comes from feeding and fuelling our fears; in-fact, fear alone is known to weaken our immune system. Social distance yourself from your phone and anything else that doesn’t feel good right now. Stay mindful, aware, and informed, but take what you need, and leave the rest. 

"I have replaced feelings of overwhelm with faith that everything will work out. All will be well."

Listen to music

Music can affect the body, mind, and soul in many ways, which is the basis for a growing field known as music therapy. You can use music in your daily life and achieve many health benefits such as stress relief, an enhanced feeling of joy, a burst of creative energy, as well as exercise if you find yourself dancing along to your favorite songs! One of the great benefits of listening to music as a stress reliever is that it can be used while you conduct your regular activities so it doesn’t take time away from your schedule. 

​Did you know...

"Faster music can make you feel more alert and concentrate better. Upbeat music can make you feel more optimistic and positive about life. A slower tempo can quiet your mind and relax your muscles, making you feel soothed while releasing the stress of the day. Music is effective for relaxation and stress management."
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Cool right?!

Put together a custom playlist of your favorite songs and release stress and tension using the power of music.

"I am freeing myself of any obsessive and compulsive thoughts. My body is becoming clear and calm."

Have Acceptance

​This may be a hard one to swallow but acceptance is essential. When we don’t accept our current reality as it is, we resist it. When we resist it, we remove ourselves from the situation thus preventing us from managing our emotions and working towards creative solutions. Non-acceptance simply keeps us stuck and paralyzed.

Acceptance is the act of acknowledging and embracing what is as opposed to trying to control what isn’t, or what might be. Use the statement, “I accept what is happening right now, even if it's uncomfortable and I don’t like it. Acceptance will bring me into action and move me towards finding solutions and managing my emotions."
 
In truth, acceptance provides a sense of inner peace when you let go of what isn’t and embrace what is, as unknown and as uncertain as it may feel right now. There is freedom in acceptance.

"I am letting go of all feelings of despair and hopelessness. I have trust and faith in the future that lies ahead of me."

Take a conscious breath

​When you find yourself consumed with unpleasant thoughts, pull yourself away from your thoughts by connecting to your beautiful breath. Ground yourself in the present moment where everything is truly okay. Place your hand over your heart, as this has a calming effect on your mind and body, and take deep conscious breaths in and out creating a wave of relaxation throughout. Visualize your body filling with peaceful white healing light and allow yourself to let go and just be. Your breath is life, connect to your essence of life and being.

"I am releasing the habit of always assuming the worst and I replace this energy with trust, hope, faith, and belief."

These are really difficult times for the entire world, so take a bit of comfort in knowing you are not alone. We can see this situation as complete devastation and disaster, or we can find some good in what it means for us whether it’s encouraging you to strengthen the bond with your family, choosing to eat better or move more, or the inspiration to have a deeper connection with self. This situation might be the catalyst for you to make those much needed changes in your life that you have been putting off...it could be the Universe “forcing” you into change. You choose what it means for you and how you want to perceive it. 

I truly believe that in every burden, there is a blessing...what blessings can you find right now? 
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Links:
Meditation for Calming an Overactive Mind
Yoga Practice with Adriene 

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Love & Gratitude,
​Vanessa

"Vanessa Marie is an internationally known Reiki Master, Self Love Coach, and Bestselling Author who has helped many people from around the world on their healing journey.

​Vanessa uses her intuitive gifts and mediumship abilities to tap into a person's energy aura so she can assist them in healing at a deep cellular and spiritual level.

Her acquired wisdom through her own life experiences and health issues combined with her training and certifications in various modalities allows her to offer powerful guidance as well as the vital tools required to enhance and promote inner healing and self love."

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