Anxiety
Most people have some level of anxiety when they go outside of their comfort zone. It is okay to feel anxious when starting a new job, getting used to a new boss, or when you have to travel alone to a new location. Of course, these are only examples of situations that generate a mild level of anxiety.
However, there are other situations where someone might experience a higher level of anxiety. The pandemic kept most people at home and the only contact with others was over the phone or Zoom. This also led to many people feeling anxious when they left their home. There are many people who are still anxious when leaving their house. If a situation occurs and there is an anxiety (panic) attack, there are ways to calm down. One method is the 5-4-3-2-1 method. Using this approach allows the focus to become what is outside oneself rather than the internal thoughts. 5- think of something you can see 4- think of something you can hear 3. think of something you can smell 2. think of something you can feel 1. think of something you can taste It may be difficult to focus on taste, if you haven't eaten for a while. Maybe you can still taste the gum you were just chewing, or the last sip of coffee, or the hard candy just had. The point is to leave the internal thoughts behind and experience the things around you. |
Depression
Depression causes lack of motivation, exhaustion, irritability, sadness, loss of interest in things that used to be enjoyed, and tasks seem too overwhelming to tackle.
It can be difficult to put one foot in front of the other. Sometimes it is just a matter of pushing to engage in a task that really needs to get done. Tasks can always be broken down into smaller component steps. This makes it easier to complete a task when each step is crossed off as it is accomplished. For example, if a room is cluttered, instead of focusing on "cleaning" it all, try looking for one task that can be accomplished--maybe putting laundry away. Each step that is completed is a success. And building success on top of success can lead to feeling better about everything else. |
ADHD
Having to search for lost items (phone, keys, wallet, etc.) is not only time consuming, but it also leads to frustration and anger. A lot of people experience this.
Try finding a designated spot for these items. Do you have a hook where you can put your keys? Is there a drawer near the door where you could drop these items? Finding a home for the items you search for the most will cut down on the frustration and irritability that often co-exists with lack of focus, distractibility, and lack of planning and follow-thru. It is important to always begin with the small steps. These small steps become significant when there is success on top of success. |
Self-CareWe are all so busy trying to do all the things we think we are supposed to, all the things others want us to do, that we seldom take time to do the things we enjoy. Self-care is very important and should not be put off until there is more time. You are just as important as anyone else.
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