5 Ways To Tackle Anxiety

by | Feb 28, 2020 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

5 Ways To Tackle Anxiety | Uncustomary

Anxiety becomes a more and more alarming mental health issue of the 21st century. Many people suffer from this condition, feeling nervous, worried, tense, restless, among other symptoms.

With the amount of news that we receive daily, thanks to the digitalization and social media platforms, there comes a lot of negativity. Besides, we all have some problems at work, at home, with relationships and plans for the future, etc. No wonder that almost one person in twenty experiences some degree of anxiety.

Our brain responds to this condition by putting the body on high alert and sending out hormones to mobilize one. When worrying is short-term, we can come with the adrenalin and return to the normal condition shortly. However, with chronic anxiety, you remain alert for more prolonged, unhealthy periods, and drain energy at a much faster rate you should.

If you often feel anxious, have panic attacks, have social fear, among other symptoms, it is essential to treat this condition before it gets worse. Besides reaching out for professional assistance, there are simple tricks that will help you to cope with anxiety daily. Below, you will find the five tips on how to tackle this condition and feel better day by day.

Exercise

Our mental health is, at some point, dependent on our physical well-being. Therefore, it is crucial to engage in some physical activities. It should not necessarily be hardcore working-out in a gym. You can practice yoga or even do stretching at home. You can also try playing golf… if that’s your cup of tea get some golf gear and go for it!

It is not about the level of intensity of your exercises, but consistency and mindfulness involved in the process. It is better to do some short sessions once a day or two than exhaust yourself once a week. Learn what is good for your body and do those physical activities you like, and it will allow more oxygen to be delivered to your brain, thus, refreshing your thoughts and calming your neural connections.

Meditation and Breathing

Meditation can do wonders for people suffering from mental health issues. It can help to slow down racing thoughts and “what ifs” in your head. Following the previous tip, practicing mindfulness and meditation during yoga can help you to cope with anxiety easier.

You can start by lying on your bed in a comfortable position and trying to relax your muscles, from toes to the chest, shoulders, and face. You will notice how tense your muscles were and how calming and pleasant it is to lie down absolutely relaxed.

You can turn on some quiet, soothing music, turn on low lights, or enjoy sunlight from the window. The main idea is to create an atmosphere that will aid in relaxation and allow you to feel the moment. Also, you can choose whether to practice meditation or yoga in a group, or it would be better for you to do it alone in the comfort of your home.

Learning a proper breathing technique will benefit your well-being, helping to feel relaxed and at peace with yourself and others. When people have chronic anxiety, their chests get tight, besides other symptoms. That’s why a rhythmic breathing exercise can deliver you great comfort, and by practicing breathing daily, you will feel relief.

Take CBD Oil

According to CBRKyro, CBD oil is extracted from cannabis leaves and flowers and doesn’t contain psychoactive ingredients or THC. It is a well-known treatment for anxiety, stress, depression, sleep issues, and so on. That’s why CBD-infused products are considered legal and safe, and you can take this oil as an anti-anxiety compound.

As recommended by CoolThingsChicago, there are many reliable CBD oil brands you can purchase upon receipt. Make sure to consult your doctor and try taking this oil to relieve anxiety attacks and cope with your condition naturally.

CBD oil can boast of several benefits for your body and mind, and it is also great for improving skin condition. You can see many CBD-infused skincare products, but these are made for skin care and not for calming anxiety and other mental disorders.

Keep a Diary

Writing proved to be a great way to organize your thoughts and express your emotions, struggles, and fears without worrying that someone will judge you for them. Keeping a diary helps to be honest with yourself, and by writing down your daily thoughts, you can calm your anxiety and understand yourself better.

According to Medium, five positive thoughts can reverse one negative one. However, it doesn’t mean that you need to fix on paper only good things that come to your mind. Quite the opposite, write about everything that worries you and makes you anxious, depressed, and trouble-sleeping.

Studies showed that keeping a diary and other creative writing techniques help to calm anxiety naturally, and people feel relieved after they finish a page or two daily. Therefore, make a habit of filling at least a two-page spread every morning or before going to bed.

Connect with Others

As recommended by Forbes, it is essential to understand that you are not alone with your struggle. First of all, your closest ones will support you no matter what, and you can always talk to them when you feel anxious or just about to start doing so. By connecting with others, you won’t let yourself suffer alone from this condition and relieve anxiety for a longer period than if you were trying to cope with it by yourself.

Secondly, you are not the only one experiencing such a terror of stress and anxiety. Nowadays, it is common for people to feel over-worried and concerned about many things, but not everyone talks about their mental struggles.

Therefore, it is vital to talk to people about your worries and listen to them in return. This way, you will not only improve your mental condition but help others who suffer from the same thing.

Final Words

According to Vogue, anxiety is one of the most widespread mental health issues nowadays, with 284 million of global population experiencing this condition officially. People suffering from it feel nervous and alert pretty much every day, but these few tips can help you to relieve your anxiety. By following the useful recommendations mentioned above, you can tackle this condition and feel better day by day.

In Columbia, Maryland, there’s a former grocery store that has been transformed into a department store for mythical creatures, time travelers, and intergalactic tourists.

It’s called DoodleHATCH.

You can groom a unicorn, visit an intergalactic space station, climb onto a giant’s bed, meet guinea pigs, explore an artist’s studio, and discover approximately a million other things that somebody actually sat down and made.

It’s a nonprofit interactive art museum, a community project, an educational resource, and one of my favorite places I’ve ever discovered.

And it could be demolished as part of a proposed redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center.

But there’s still an opportunity to help.

You don’t need to donate money. You don’t need to live in Maryland. And you don’t need to know anything about zoning laws.

You can start by writing an email.

🚨 Here's what's happening

Developer Columbia Concepts has proposed redeveloping the Long Reach Village Center in Columbia, Maryland.

The proposal would replace existing buildings with new housing, recreational facilities, and other development.

Unfortunately, that puts a whole collection of existing community resources at risk of being demolished, including:

  • DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum
  • Maryland Fashion Institute
  • A makerspace used for community education
  • Local restaurants, shops, and service businesses
  • Early childhood education and community programs
  • A 140-foot-long mural created by approximately 100 community members

This isn’t just about losing a fabulous museum. It’s about losing an entire collection of places that people have built, supported, and relied on.

And there’s another possibility!

🌈 Meet The REALM

Lee Andersen, the founder of DoodleHATCH, and her nonprofit ManneqART want to preserve the existing community resources and transform the village center into an arts and culture destination called The REALM.

Imagine a place where artists have studios, children have room to explore, students can learn creative skills, people can attend performances, and local businesses continue serving their neighbors.

There are plans for a performing arts space, more opportunities for artists, and a Witches Kitchen that might serve you a horrible-disgusting breakfast.

Which, personally, I think sounds promising.

The people behind DoodleHATCH are gathering support to oppose the developer’s zoning proposal and advocate for The REALM.

And they’d love your help.

💌 How to help in about two minutes

If you live in Howard County, Maryland

If you’re 18 or older, DoodleHATCH is asking eligible county residents to visit the museum and sign their petition in person.

📍DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum

8775 Cloudleap Court, Unit 101
Columbia, MD 21045

⏱️ Museum hours: Friday–Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM.

And while you’re there, I highly recommend exploring the museum. Bring someone who needs a reminder that being an adult doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying ridiculous things.

If you don't live in Howard County

You can still help!

DoodleHATCH is collecting emails from people who oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and support preserving the existing arts and community resources through The REALM.

Send your email to: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com

Suggested subject: Support The REALM | Oppose Columbia Concepts Zoning Proposal ZB 1132M

You can write your own message or use one of the templates below.

You don’t need to write an essay. A short, genuine message explaining what you support and why is enough to participate in this email campaign.

✍️ What should your email say?

To make your position clear, include these three things:

1. Say what you’re opposing.

State that you oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center, case ZB 1132M.

2. Say what you’re supporting.

Express your support for preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, existing community resources, and the proposed arts and culture center called The REALM.

3. Explain why you care.

This is the part that makes your email yours.

Maybe you’ve visited DoodleHATCH. Maybe you’re a parent who wants more creative places for children. Maybe you’re an artist, an educator, or someone who thinks it’s important to protect the few spaces where people can explore and make things without needing to buy something.

Maybe you live across the country and just learned that there’s a department store for mythical creatures in Maryland, and you think the world would be a little less interesting without it.

That’s a perfectly good reason to care.

💌 Email templates you can copy

Option 1: Short, simple, and effective

Subject: Support The REALM | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts zoning amendment and redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M).

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the existing community services and small businesses, as well as the proposal to create The REALM arts and culture center.

Creative and educational spaces like these provide valuable opportunities for families, artists, students, and the wider community. I believe they deserve to be protected.

Please include my email with the messages of support being collected for DoodleHATCH and The REALM.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 2: For artists, creatives, and fellow merriment makers

Subject: Please Protect DoodleHATCH and Support The REALM

Hello,

I’m writing in opposition to Columbia Concepts’ proposed redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and in support of The REALM.

I believe communities need places where creativity, imagination, and play are actively encouraged.

DoodleHATCH is an extraordinary example of what can happen when artists and community members are given room to create something that doesn’t fit into an ordinary commercial space.

Places like this are rare. They encourage people of all ages to experiment, learn, explore, and connect with one another.

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, the existing community resources, and the vision for The REALM.

Thank you for collecting these messages and advocating for the creative community.

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 3: For people who've visited DoodleHATCH

Subject: Please Save DoodleHATCH | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and my support for The REALM.

I’ve personally visited DoodleHATCH, and I want to share why I believe it’s worth preserving.

[Write two or three sentences about your experience. What did you see? Who did you bring? What surprised you? What made you want to return?]

DoodleHATCH is more than a collection of exhibits. It’s a place where creativity is something people can actively participate in, and I believe losing it would be a tremendous loss to the community.

I support preserving the museum, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the other existing community resources through the proposed arts and culture center, The REALM.

Please include my email with the messages of support you’re collecting.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

A few tips before you hit send

DO:

  • Use your real name.

  • Include your city and state so organizers can understand where support is coming from.

  • Clearly identify the redevelopment proposal you’re opposing.

  • Specifically mention your support for The REALM.

  • Add a personal sentence or two if you can.

  • Be respectful, even if you’re frustrated.

  • Share this page with other people who might want to help.

DON’T:

  • Pretend to be a Howard County resident if you’re not.

  • Claim to have visited DoodleHATCH if you haven’t.

  • Make up experiences or information.

  • Send threatening, insulting, or harassing messages.

  • Assume your email is the same thing as signing the official petition.

  • Worry about making your message sound impressive. Clear and genuine is better than elaborate.

💌 The Save DoodleHATCH Email Machine

A few clicks, a little personality, and an email that helps support DoodleHATCH and The REALM. No account or signup required.

What's your connection to DoodleHATCH?
Why does protecting places like this matter to you?
✨ Your email preview
To: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com
Subject:

Your information stays in your browser until you choose to copy or open the message. The email does not send automatically. Emails support DoodleHATCH's advocacy campaign; they are not the same as official petition signatures or zoning testimony. Please review the message before sending.

🐹 Wait. What exactly is DoodleHATCH?

I’m so glad you asked.

DoodleHATCH is an interactive art museum in Columbia, Maryland, created by artist, designer, and professional generator of wildly ambitious ideas, Lee Andersen.

The museum is designed as a pretend department store for mythological creatures, time travelers, and galactic tourists.

There are dozens of installations, and unlike most museums, you’re encouraged to touch things, explore, and participate.

There’s also an artist’s studio full of fabric and handmade garments, workshops, special events, birthday parties, free books, and opportunities for local artists to share their work.

The museum welcomes families and children, but adults are absolutely allowed to enjoy themselves, too.

And the woman behind it has spent decades bringing creativity into the community through fashion, festivals, education, and public art.

I discovered DoodleHATCH in 2020 and loved it so much that I started volunteering.

I’ve been back multiple times, and there are still things I haven’t seen.

That’s part of what makes it special. You can keep discovering things because people keep creating them.

You don't have to live near DoodleHATCH to care about it.

There are Merriment Makers everywhere.

People turning empty buildings into art spaces. People organizing parades. People teaching kids how to sew, paint, dance, or build things. People putting enormous amounts of time into projects that make their communities more interesting.

Sometimes they’re running nonprofits. Sometimes they’re working out of their garages. Sometimes they’re making something weird in a strip mall that you might drive past a hundred times without realizing what’s inside.

I hope you’ll help protect DoodleHATCH.

And I hope you’ll look around your own community, too. Visit the strange little museum. Go to the local art show. Find the person who makes giant puppets or organizes an absurd annual festival. Spend your money at the independent shop with the handmade things.

There are people everywhere creating reasons for us to be curious about being alive.

I’d like them to be able to keep doing that.

Help save DoodleHATCH. Help protect The REALM. Help keep the world interesting.

💌 Email: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com

🌈 Visit: DoodleHATCH.com

🦄 Share: Uncustomary.org/Doodle