How to cope with anxiety is a good question at the best of times but in the times of uncertainty that we’re going through right now it’s an even more important question.
Thank you for joining me on today’s episode of Your Freedom Unlimited. Today we’re talking about how to find some certainty and peace in the midst of very uncertain times.
As I’m recording this it’s July, 2020, and in Australia we’re seeing a second wave of the pandemic in Melbourne, one of our largest cities. While there’s a lot of media coverage on the pandemic I’m also noticing a lot of discussion in the media about the anxiety many people are feeling in relation to COVID-19. As well as fear about the illness there’s a lot of fear about the general economic uncertainty that’s been caused by COVID-19.
I’m also seeing this pattern repeat itself in social media and in my conversations with family and friends. There’s a very high level of anxiety and fear about the future – with people asking how will the economy bounce back and when will we be able to travel again? There’s also seems to be a general level of heightened anxiety about the geo-politics and how we’re all interacting together in the world.
What’s interesting is that for the first time in mainstream media anxiety is really being talked about in a very significant way. This speaks to the extent of the problem and the fact that finally, as a community, we are starting to talk about these things – which is great news. But what I’ve noticed is that while there is a lot of reporting about peoples’ fears there’s not alot of mainstream reporting about how to cope with anxiety in these uncertain times.
How to Cope with Anxiety in Uncertain Times
While I don’t propose to have the silver bullet solution for this situation I truly believe there are ways that we as individuals, and as a community, can better deal with our anxiety. As someone who has experienced what it’s like to live with anxiety, I also know how much better life is when you learn to manage anxiety successfully. It can be done.
What I’ve learnt is that when we’re stuck in our fear there’s not a lot we can do. We can often go into quite a negative spiral.
Einstein said it best: “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them. ”
I think you’d agree he was a pretty smart guy – and in this instance his wisdom is golden.
So let’s break down what he meant. In summary, Einstein is saying a problem can’t be solved in the same way or thinking or consciousness that it arose in.
From all of the research I’ve done in terms of quantum physics, neuroscience, consciousness and spirituality this means we cannot solve a problem if we’re looking at it through the same eyes, with the same perspective. We have to loosen our grip on the fear story that is presenting itself and look at things from a different perspective.
How to Loosen Our Grip on the Fear Story
If I choose a perspective of fear, I’m going to be locked into what’s called a fear consciousness. And I’m not going to be able to come up with many good solutions or ideas when I’m in fear. I’m going to spiral downwards looking at everything else that could go possibly wrong. (The research also shows fear is terrible for our immune systems.)
But if I consciously choose a peaceful state then I’m going to feel more calm (better for my immune system) and I’m also going to be able to come up with new and inspired ideas that could possibly solve the problems.
We loosen our grip on the fear story by consciously choosing calm.
We’ve got two very simple choices here.
Fear OR Peace and calm?
It is your choice in terms of what side of the coin you choose to look at
If I consciously choose the perspective of peace and calm that is going to give me access to better ideas, more inspirational thoughts, concepts and solutions.
I believe this is what Einstein was really talking about. He was saying that we cannot solve a problem in that fear consciousness, because it leads to more stuckness, more fear, more control and anxiety. But if we choose a place of peace and calm the brain will be more relaxed and will allow new and different ideas to come to the surface – for ourselves, our local community and our global community.
Once We’ve Chosen Calm How Do We Stay There?
How to cope with anxiety and keep ourselves in this calm space is the next strategy I wanted to share with you.
How do we do this?
- Reduce our exposure to the fear
- Train our minds to calm down through meditation
How to Reduce Your Exposure to Fear?
I’d say right now we are over-exposed to fear. Globally we are sharing more information at a level and in a way that we have never, ever shared before via online mainstream media reporting and social media.
At other times in history, things might have been happening in the world, but we might not have been exposed to them. But now with everything so instantaneously happening in a minute-by-minute news cycle we’re exposed 24/7 to fear stories in a way that feels personal to us.
This overexposure is tiring and to me it feels like our collective human psyche is a little worn out. It’s almost like extreme over exposure to the sun – it’s like we’ve all been out in the desert sun for days and fried to a crisp. There is no amount of sunscreen that could help us in a situation like that.
So what do we do?
We consciously reduce our exposure to media and social media. Over the last few months, I’ve found I don’t need to be glued to my phone or my television 24 hours a day to know what’s going on – I just need to check in once or twice a day to feel tuned in.
We also need to manage our thoughts and the content of the conversations we have with others. Back to Einstein – endlessly rehashing the same fear stories in our conversations with friends is not going to get us anywhere. So next time you chat with a friend really be clear on what you want to focus on in that conversation.
Train Your Mind to Find Peace
So then you might be asking what should I be doing in this time if I’m consciously choosing not to worry or look at social media? This is a perfect time to look at how to train your mind to find peace. This is also the best way I know to help you cope with anxiety.
How do we do that? Through simple practices of meditation and mindfulness.
When we meditate we start to build a stronger connection with our true selves and our inner world. We can go inward and find peace rather than being stuck in the noise and fear of the outside world. This is what you know the yogis and sages have known for millennia.
Meditation also has great health benefits including reduced stress, anxiety and improving our overall health.
Some of you right now you may be saying – meditation that’s too hard, it’s not for me. I’ve tried it. I can’t do it! Let me tell you I used to think that but now that I’ve had a consistent meditation practice everything has changed.
The key is to start small and find a technique that works for you.
Yes I still experience worry and fear but it helps me deal with it in a completely different way!!
The meditation techniques that I teach and use every day are very gentle, very simple and very accessible. They’re all based on helping you really remember who you are – to help you connect with your heart and to find peace and love inside.
So as part of this episode, I want to share with you my free Choose Calm meditation and also the five-step guide in finding peace in times of uncertainty that goes with it. You can get it by visiting jenramsey.com/calm
This meditation is only 9 minutes long.
I’m very excited to share it with you. It’s a very simple meditation that’s designed to really help you feel safe and supported and to help you send love out to the world.
This meditation will also help you shift into that space where you can feel more peaceful and more calm. Once you’re in that space you’ll be more inspired and creative.
I know many people feel quite concerned that they’re not doing enough. By doing this meditation you will be doing something – research shows that when we meditate for health and healing of people it makes a difference.
So, please just visit jenramsey.com/calm to get access to this meditation.
About Your Host:
How to be happy and feel more confident to live a truly free and unlimited life – that’s what I’m all about. My name is Jen Ramsey and I’m a mindset and empowerment coach who’ll help you get unstuck and take action on what matters most.
If you’re ready to show up for you authentically. drop your baggage, raise your vibe, feel more confident and create a clear roadmap for your life, business or career then I can help you. Just contact me via this website!
Keep Tuning In
Please keep tuning in as there’s lots more to come here on Your Freedom Unlimited.
Until next time take great care
Jen xoxo
Resources
If you’d like to feel more calm and grounded right now click here to get access to my Choose Calm Meditation & 5 Step Guide To Choosing Peace and Calm: www.jenramsey.com/calm
Let’s connect:
Website:jenramsey.com
Email: hello@jenramsey.com
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6ICeTAMgNGfbJdBR67a3g
