I think covid was messing with my head and for a couple months leading up to the appointment I had convinced myself the cancer was back. As illogical as that is, I think the threat of sickness/death with covid triggered a lot of previous trauma in me. I am glad to have passed this milestone for the year and hope to move forward with a more positive mindset.
As an hr practitioner I often have to coach or support my clients or employees on dealing with these types of things and addressing anxiety. I want to try to think about what I'd say to someone in my workplace that was dealing with similar feelings that I have been struggling with.
1) I think I would say first of all for them to try to take a moment to breath. Breath in and breath out, and focus on the current moment. If you are able to, perhaps take 5-10 minutes and do a guided meditation. maybe build this into your daily routine, and try to calm your nervous system.
2) another great strategy for releasing emotions is to talk to a friend or even a therapist about what you are feeling. get those feelings out, with someone that will listen with compassion. for covid, in particular, we are all going through this together and we are feeling a lot of the same feelings right now. you won't be shunned for your feelings. you will probably get a lot of nodding heads.
3) journal your thoughts and feelings out too - if you'd rather not talk to someone, writing everything out and getting rid of it helps! it gets it out of your head. even consider burning the paper after and releasing all the negative stuff by lighting it on fire!
4) for me, anxiety is often worrying about the future. in covid, we don't know when this will really end. so take control of what you can. create a stable routine every day, that will help with maintaining some normalcy and balance for you. focus on each day as it comes and don't think too far into the future if you can. stay present.
5) exercise! if you like to workout like me I know that really helps me with anxiety and stress. find some kind of exercise that feels good to you and do it.
Personally, I think I need to focus on levelling out my stress and nervous system. I probably need to do some more relaxing movements and activities to balance out work stress and high intensity workouts. I am trying to work yoga and mediation into my life, and get back to journalling more as well.
all of the above is great advice I would give someone else, and I need to give it to myself!
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