Top tips for stressed out humans 2021 - ThisWorks | Page 22

Breathe Deeply

Anxiety is running high right now . On the low end of the scale , there is uneasiness , at the higher end lies paralysing terror . In between : fear , social anxiety , agitation , dread , and panic . For some of us , anxiety is showing up psychologically , emotionally and socially - all at the same time . It shows up in restlessness , feeling constantly " on edge ”, difficulty concentrating and irritability . Dizziness , tiredness , a noticeably strong , fast or irregular heartbeat , shortness of breath , tension in our muscles . Withdrawing socially , avoiding contact with others .

Top tip : breathe deeply , expanding your belly , in for 4 and out for 6 . This connects us with our parasympathetic nervous system ( sometimes called the rest and digest system , it conserves energy as it slows the heart rate and relaxes muscles ). From this relaxed state , we can control anxiety and not have it control us . We can ' t breathe our problems away , but this certainly helps us to operate from a more rational state . 10