#ThingsYouCanDo to Gain Some Calm

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These days are trying for sure, and even during better times, many struggle with anxiety.  So of course being in the middle of a global pandemic, while bringing new worries for some, only adds to the worries of others. And then of course there's the fear to deal with....

So how can we gain at least some measure of calm? (Note I didn't say become calm or get rid of anxiety. 'Cause I tend to think that's promising a bit too much.)

There are many ways; I'll just share a few here. But first I should say that many people need medication to best treat their anxiety, and if you even suspect that you're one of them, please consult a doctor. This post will not give medical advice; the following are just some things that have helped me and that have the potential to help you as well.

• Do some relaxing breathing exercises, like the "4-7-8 Breath."
• Listen to relaxing music. Music is the one thing that most saves my life. I've created a Spotify playlist (see below) of what I call "transcendent" music. It's the kind that if you take a break, perhaps lie down, press play, and close your eyes,...you're almost guaranteed to feel better it's done.
  
  
  
  At least...you are if you enjoy this kind of music. But if this kind of thing isn't your taste, there's no shortage of music designed to calm and soothe. Just type "calming" or "relaxing" into Spotify or your favorite player, and you're sure to have an abundance of choice.
  
  Also, Dr. Jeffrey Thompson, an expert in how sound affects the body, has created many albums' worth of music that includes specific frequencies to have certain effects, many of which include relaxation.
• Do some yoga. Many kinds of yoga are relaxing, and there are myriad yoga resources out there. One of my favorites is Yoga With Adriene. Adriene Mishler has been sharing yoga routines on YouTube for ages, and she has developed quite a following. Here is her Yoga for Anxiety playlist, and I've embedded the first video from it below. Enjoy.