Taking Care of Business

Ever feel like you are about to break? Your mind is so full of all these lies you tell yourself, that you just want to break down and cry? How often do you hold it all in for the benefit of others? You hold it in because you don’t want to worry your loved ones. Tell me, do you hold it all in because you are afraid of what others might think if you show this vulnerable side of you? When you break down, do you think all of these negative thoughts? It depends on the situation, right?

Well, let’s say you break down because of work. You are so stressed out. Your boss is piling on more work for you to do that you can’t keep up. You are the type of employee that doesn’t say no when your boss asks/tells you to do a project along with another project you are already working on. On top of all that work you have to do. Your boss is hounding you to get it done in a timely manner. Your boss is telling you what you are doing wrong. But nothing of what you are doing right. Do you shut the door to your office and break down silently? Or do you hold it in and not deal with it? Your mind starts to run wild with thoughts of not being good enough that you aren’t cut out for this job. You get yourself worked up to the point you can’t concentrate on your work. Because you can’t concentrate you start thinking that you are falling behind on your projects. Which causes more stress. Before you know it, your chest tightens, and you can’t breathe. You start thinking; am I having a heart attack? A stroke? Nope. You are having an anxiety attack caused by the stress.

What are some ways that can help you calm down? Everyone is different when it comes to coping with anxiety. Taking a simple deep breath may work for you and it may not. Some people close their eyes envision their “happy” place. Such as being on a beach with nothing around but you and the water. Someone else’s “happy” place may be at home, in their favorite chair, reading their favorite book, and their cat.

How do you cope when you are a person with anxiety or even someone who is just stressed? What are ways that can help you cope in general? To help you find your peace on a daily basis instead of letting it build up until you explode, and you do things you will regret. Everyone is different. You have to find what works best for you.

What works for me can vary from day today and on my mood. When I feel inspired, I will paint a beautiful scenery. There are times where I will sit down and write what is on my mind. But my favorite coping mechanism is reading. I love to read. When I read it gets me out of my head and into a whole new world. I transport myself into the book like I am one of the characters. I go through what the characters go through. It’s amazing what a good book can do for you. You never know the book may even help you through a hard time that you are recently going through. All you have to do is pick up the book and start reading. Sometimes the book can help you feel not so alone in the world. You never know what it might bring you. Hope. Understanding. Peace.

Painted by Heather Ord

How you cope with stress is up to you. You just have to find what works for you. Everyone is different. Everyone is unique. There is only one you and YOU have the capabilities to help yourself be at peace. Body and Mind.