Goodbye, Social Anxiety!

I have always considered myself an extrovert with an affinity for a good amount of quiet downtime, which you might think makes me quite adaptable to a wide variety of social engagements and situations, as long as I can find balance with some solitude. And you would be right!

Except after over a year of extremely limited contact with others, I have noticed that social anxiety can start to creep up on me. After some reflection on these new (to me) feelings, I realized just how used to the slower pace and less external stimulation my brain and body had become. As my days start to return to a busier and more interactive pace, I have developed a few simple routines to help me feel grounded, calm, and present amid what feels like a lot more hustle and bustle!

1. I spend the first few minutes of being awake in stillness, just breathing in bed, listening to the birds (and cicadas!), and taking mental note of how my body feels from head to toe. 

2. When I am transitioning from one mode to another (from work to home, or from one client to another), I take just a couple of minutes and practice box breathing (watch my quick video to see how to do it!). It can feel like a reset button for me, and helps so much to recenter myself.

3. Before I am going to go out to see friends or even go to the grocery, I like to ground myself with my favorite essential oil blend - I put one or two drops in my palm, rub my hands together and then take a few deep breaths into my hands - the lavender and sandalwood mix are an instant soother for me! Then I'll massage my neck, shoulders, jaw and temples for a minute or two, and I feel relaxed and ready to go. This is also a great way to wind down at the end of the day, or for a quick de-stresser at any time!

Have you noticed any changes in your anxiety as the world changes for us yet again? Tell me all about it during a free chat!