How I Overcome Anxiety
My motto is, “If I can do it, anyone can!” And it’s real. My anxiety is so bad at times that my voice and body tremble, I become short of breath, and my ability to talk, smile and laugh feels like it’s slim to none. One time I spoke in a large staff meeting and afterward someone came up to me and said, “Are you okay? I thought I was going to have to perform CPR.”
Positive energy, good vibes, understanding people–These are elements in my ideal climate for communication. Fellow introverts, are you with me? Where are my introverts in the communications field?
The fact that public speaking scares the hell out of me and yet I choose a career in public relations might be confusing, but this is the bottom line: I’m here because the desire to communicate effectively trumps everything. Paying attention to the way people ingest information and the best way to deliver is an exciting challenge, especially in the social media world where tools for communication are always fresh.
When it comes to communicating in any public setting, there is just one thing that determines my comfort level: Preparation. When caught off guard, my body often goes into flight or fight mode and my brain function is questionable. On the flip side, when I am well-prepared and living a healthy lifestyle, I am in my best shape to communicate out here in this world.
Here’s what I do to try and keep calm:
Breathe/Meditate
As a work-from-home mom of two-year-old twin boys, every day feels like I’m running a marathon. I have to focus on catching my breath if I’m going to catch my breath in between all of the tasks. The Calm app works wonders when it’s time for breathwork because you can choose different scenery and sounds that make relaxation easier. For the best experience, make sure your earbuds are on and set the timer so you won’t have to keep checking the clock.
Prioritize Sleep
Surely you’ve heard this before–Listen to your body! A tired mind isn’t prepared for stress. This is why, when I’m overwhelmed with work, my first step in tackling it all is to go to sleep. Big meeting tomorrow? I’m going to bed early to rest up. Event coming up this weekend? You know where I’ll be the nights before the big day–in the bed early.
Aromatherapy
Definitely consider aromatherapy as a means to get your anxiety under control. How do you feel when you walk into Lush or Bath & Body Works? Never underestimate the power of your favorite scents. The smell of lavender instantly takes me to a more relaxed state. My favorite lavender-infused products are Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Room Freshener and Lush’s Dream Cream. Also try diffusing a couple drops of lavender essential oil to relax during the day and at night.
Daily Exercise
When my heart won’t stop racing, I go with the flow and run. Studies also show that exercising on a regular basis helps to reduce the symptoms of anxiety. Check out BlackDoctor.Org: Got Anxiety? There’s A Workout For That.
Stay Beautiful
When I look my best, I feel my best, and that goes for my physical being and the spaces around me. That said, dedicating time for cleaning, decorating, shopping, going to the hairstylist and nail salon are all good for my mental health. Basically it’s like you throw on a great pair of shoes and there’s no stopping you from getting to your destination. These waterproof knee high platform boots by Sam Edelman are an awesome addition to your collection of power shoes for Winter 2022.
Set Goals
Setting long and short-term goals helps me stay focused and understand what I should be doing on a daily basis. If I don’t set goals, I am beating myself up for all of the things I have not yet accomplished. I use Trello to create checklists that are easily updated throughout the day. Documenting all of the completed tasks builds confidence!
Medication
To be fully prepared for speaking engagements, I take a beta-blocker called Propanolol. I always notice a difference in my heart rate and experience less tremors when taking it. At this point, I won’t be doing a presentation or going anywhere too far without it.
