Avoid toxic positivity during the coronavirus. Insisting on seeing only the bright side and disallowing negative thoughts can harm your mental health. Instead try the “yes, and” method:”Yes, I am tired of being stuck at home with my family, and I’m also grateful that we get along as well as we do.” Acknowledging your full range of emotions, even when they are contradictory, helps process them in a healthy way.
Is your anxiety spiraling during this unprecedented time? Some easy ways to deal with anxiety include deep diaphramatic breathing: Hold one hand on your belly and the other on your chest, expand your belly and not your chest when you inhale. Dip your face in cold water for 15 seconds which can calm the body. Touch something cold. It disrupts the body’s stress response and distracts you. Do something physical like mowing your lawn or doing sit ups. “5-4-3-2-1 method: Focus on 5 things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. This can help create some distance from the feeling of anxiety. Also try progressive muscle relaxation where you clench your toes, then calves, then thighs working your way up to your head and your whole body. It’s best to hold the clenching for 5 seconds each muscle and body part.
One of the first things I teach in hypnosis sessions is progressive muscle relaxation. It is a great way to enter deep levels of hypnosis and is very safe to use on one’s own.
If you have any questions about hypnosis, please feel free to call me at 361-442-9590 or email at holtadams2002@yahoo.com Currently my office is closed but I am available by the above methods.