I Feel Like My Life is Out of Control
Do you feel like your life or life in the world that surrounds you is out of control? Are you feeling anxiety as a result?
There are so many things in this world that can happen that we have no control over, and when one seems to layer on top of another, it can feel hard to deal with.
If any of this describes what you are experiencing, I want you to acknowledge your feelings but do not judge yourself. Feelings and thoughts are not who you are.
How Do I Cope and Gain Back Some Control?
We all experience stress. You are not alone with your feelings. It is healthy that you recognize and articulate what you are feeling. It is super-healthy that you want to gain control of your anxiety.
The first step to reigning in control of your stress is to recognize and call it what it is.
“I am anxious. I feel like my life is out of control.”
Are you out of control? No. Can you control what happens in the world that surrounds you? No. Can you take care of yourself? Yes!
Taking care of yourself, partaking in self-care, will help you gain back a sense of control. You CAN control you (despite what is going on around you)! That is incredibly grounding, right?!
Try this mindfulness exercise:
Clear your mind of any anxious thoughts. Where are you at this very moment? Are you safe?
Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing your awareness on the present moment, while acknowledging and accepting your feelings, thoughts, and senses, without reacting to the world around you. Mindfulness is a therapeutic technique that can instantly bring on a state of calm. But not only is it mentally healthy, but it is also physically healthy and proven to lower your blood pressure and heart rate.
Make it a new habit, or your intention for the new year, to center yourself with mindfulness whenever you feel yourself drift towards anxious thoughts. Try it now. Can you feel it? It is so good!
Control your breathing
Breathing is an automatic function, but sometimes we must remind ourselves to breathe well. Deep breathing sends instant messages to our brain to relax.
Deepen your mindful practice by combining it with a breathing exercise. You can leave your anxious state no matter where you are. You might be sitting in the middle of chaos, but you have complete control over your breathing, your anxiety, and your sense of well-being.
You cannot lie down just anywhere, so do this breathing exercise sitting up or lying down:
- Place one of your hands on your belly.
- Take a deep breath in through your nose and push your belly out as you do so (feel your belly rise with your hand). Your chest should remain as still as possible.
- Breathe out through your lips. Feel the hand on your belly go in as you release air.
- Take your time while doing this exercise and repeat 3 to 5 times (or more if you want to continue).
Notice how you feel at the end of the exercise. Did your anxious thoughts float away?
Check out our blog for additional methods of self-care and how each can lead to an improvement in our mental well-being.
Anxiety and Stress Relief through Massage
Massage is another form of self-care, but it takes on a different healing format (pain and stress relief) backed by science, including, heightened blood circulation, the release of healthy brain chemicals, and a reduction in stress hormones.
Imagine the mental health boost of partaking in a mindful exercise while in a massage!
For you, it may be the Healing Power of Human Touch through massage that you find beneficial in taking control of anxiety and the ensuing physical effects that it takes on your body.
Honestly, though, your focus on self-care and your own body (forget the news, the kids, the job, the typical pressures women often feel), can take you away from what troubles you in the world and put your mind and body in a deserving place of relaxation. This is your ticket to gain some control.
Do you reside in the Austin, Texas area? Our monthly membership package will help you experience the mental health-boosting benefits of massage!
We want you to feel good!
We want you to be free of anxiety and pain!
