Keep Calm: The TINCTURE Guide to Managing Anxiety

According to mental health charity Mind, 1 in 6 people in England alone experience common mental health problems (such as anxiety) in any given week. Regardless of your usual state of balance, it’s probably fair to say that with Covid-19 filling up newsfeeds and the thoughts of just about everyone in the world, anxiety is sky-rocketing now more than ever. This is completely understandable, but that doesn’t make it any easier. However, there are certain practices that do.

If you need a little help keeping your emotional wellbeing in check, try adopting these simple, enjoyable practices into your day-to-day goings on.

Breathe Deep

Breathing deeply and correctly can have a huge impact on your emotional state. On the flip-side, shallow breathing and over use of mouth-breathing can actually increase anxiety.

First of all, become aware of breathing for what it actually is. A breath of fresh air literally in-spires you. You breathe in life and vitality – the oxygen your body needs to replenish and thrive. You breathe out waste and toxicity, removing what is no longer needed from your body.

If you find anxiety getting the better of you, notice your breathing. It’s likely shallow and restricted, so act on this right away. Breathe in deeply, to the count of four, through your nose and then out of your mouth, at a smooth, steady rate (1-2-3-4…). Continue doing this while you visualise breathing in life and vitality and breathing out the anxiety which does not serve you.

It can really help to check in with your breathing regularly through the day as sometimes it’s hard to notice when we are feeling particularly anxious. Get into the habit of noticing your breath and correcting it as and when you need to.

Try Aromatherapy

We’re big fans of aromatherapy, here at TINCTURE. We use calming aromatherapy blends in all of products (so, if you’re keeping your house clean with our range you’ll already be noticing the benefits!). But of course, spritzing down the surfaces with essential oils isn’t the only way to reap the soothing rewards.

If you’re lucky enough to have a diffuser or oil burner at home, now’s the time to put this to good use. Alternatively, you can bring a pot of water to the boil, add some oils into that and allow your home to be filled with an anxiety-reducing scent.

We love using lavender, ylang ylang, rose, chamomile, vetiver and clary sage for welcome relief in times of stress.

Keep Laughing

Laughter is one of the best stress-busters out there – it can really help to dispel feelings of anxiety in an instant. Oh, it’s a fantastic immune booster too. And even though it can be tough to genuinely laugh when anxiety is ruling your mental state, you can fake it ‘til you make it and it still works!

Get into the habit of starting your day by smiling at yourself in the mirror. Hold this for 10 seconds – your body will automatically start producing happy hormones and reducing cortisol as a result, even if it’s forced. If you can push out any kind of laugh, even a totally crazy pretend one, this will vastly amplify the effects.

Laughing with others is even more beneficial, and once you start with a fake one you’ll soon find yourselves in peals for real! If you’re home alone while self-isolating, you can always call the Rise and Shine Laughter line, Monday – Friday 8am – 8.10am (except Bank Holidays) phone the Globafy free conference call service, on:  0333 3000 310 and then enter the pin number: 55511151 

You’ll be connected to the group call. Simply take a deep breath and join in the laughter!

Practice Gratitude

It’s easy to fall victim to the vast amounts of negative news coming our way at the moment, so taking action to reset your brain into a positive way of thinking is vital for coping with anxiety.

A wonderful way to do this is to practice gratitude – become aware of all that you have to be grateful for, right here, right now. Think of your loved ones and how lucky you are to have them in your life. Think of the spring sunshine returning after a long winter, just as normality will resume in our lives before long. Think of anything that brings warmth to your heart and soul and focus on that as much as you can.

For now, we’re still carrying on as normal, so that we can continue to offer you the best non-toxic cleaning products and lifestyle products out there – so that’s one load of your mind! Take care of yourselves and each other and most importantly, choose kindness whenever you can.