Fighting off anxiety, stress

It’s easy to assume that working or studying from home is the most ideal, that it brings less office- or school-related stress, and that it allows everybody to go through the week more relaxed since we don’t leave the safety of the house.

Nearly a year into the work-from-home setup, many of us find this far from the truth. Most of the time, it even leaves one feeling more drained. The boundary between your office and personal lives has been blurred, even wiped out. You suddenly find yourself crankier and more short-tempered now that you work and live in one space.

Anxiety and stress are two things that seem to have become constants in our lives especially since the pandemic upended our lives. While it is a normal reaction to feel frazzled or nervous, it is a different story when the two emotional responses begin interfering with our daily lives or cause disconcerting issues such as circulatory problems, insomnia, headaches or panic attacks. Here are a few ideas to help counter stress and anxiety, all of which you can do right at home.

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Meditate

It may sound weird, funny or even daunting, but meditation is often suggested to manage stress and anxiety. Mindful meditation, for one, has become increasingly popular in therapy. There are a lot of meditation guides online if you are clueless on how to even begin. Spotify has several meditation podcasts and playlists which can aid you in the practice. You may also do meditation during yoga. Find time each day to step away from the day’s flurry of activities, hit pause and relax by taking slow and deep breaths.

Write

You don’t even have to come up with elaborate, prize-winning long journal entries. Simply put your feelings and thoughts down on paper, never mind the grammar. Cliché as it may sound, but expressing yourself, your concerns and worries is a good form of release and can make anxiety feel more manageable. And while you’re at it, you may want to consider writing down the things that you are grateful for. This may help relieve stress and anxiety as you focus more on the good things you have at present.

Aromatherapy

Never underestimate the power of scents. Whether you prefer essential oils or scented candles, it can help boost your mood, calm you, or even lull you to sleep. Some of the most calming scents are lavender, rose, orange, sandalwood, neroli, ylang ylang and frankincense. Keep in mind to stick to the prescribed dosage when using your essential oils. When burning scented candles, do not leave it unattended and make sure to keep flammable materials at a safe distance.

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Easy on the caffeine

We turn to coffee for relief against migraines or tension headaches. Caffeinated drinks have become our best friend, too, to keep us alert especially when there are so many things to do for work and around the house. Interestingly, too much caffeine can cause your head to throb as well. Whether it’s coffee, tea, soda or energy drinks, pay attention to what you drink and limit your intake.

Medicard MACE App

While these home remedies may help ease your anxiety, it is best to consult with a professional. Find a doctor from the safety of your home by using the Medicard MACE App. The free app allows you to set an appointment for an online consultation with Medicard Philippines’ team of trusted health experts. Download the MACE App for free via Google Play or App Store.

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Article and Photo originally posted by Inquirer last February 13, 2021 3:25am and written by Din M. Villafuerte.

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