Self-Care during Covid

As I write, we are currently in our third lockdown to protect us and our healthcare systems from Covid-19.  I managed reasonably well during the previous two because the NHS was coping pretty well (considering!) and things seemed reasonably under control(ish?).

This time round, I’m finding things pretty stressful. I’m having more ‘what if’ thoughts and worrying a lot more. To be fair, I have previous with anxiety. We go back a long way, anxiety and I.  I also live in an age where I have access to therapies and support that my ancestors never had. I count myself lucky for that.

It’s due to this support that I’ve sought out and worked through over the last thirty years that I have a decent collection of anxiety management tools. I thought now would be a good time to take a sort of inventory of all the bits and pieces I’ve experienced and learned about since then.  Turns out… more than I realised!

I’ve tried various exercises, therapies and treatments over the years including

• Chinese Herbalism
• Chinese Acupuncture
• Western Herbalism
• Ayurvedic Medicine
• Homeopathy
• Flower Essences
• Psychoanalytical Therapy
• Gestalt Psychotherapy
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitising Therapy)
• Person-centred Therapy
• Life and Career Coaching
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Tarot and Oracle Readings
• Rune Readings
• Crystal Healing
• Shamanic Soul Retrieval
• Munay-Ki
• Angelic Reiki
• Kinesiology
• Aromatherapy
• Sound Baths
• Qi Gong
• Yoga
• Laughter Yoga
• Pilates
• Dance Therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Bowen Therapy
• McTimoney Chiropractic Treatment
• Infared Heat Treatment
• Massage

Among other things, I’ve learned how to use

• TFT also known as ‘Tapping’(Thought Field Therapy)
• EFT – another form of Tapping (Emotional Freedom Technique)
• Bach Flower Remedies
• EMDR Techniques
• Acupressure
• Breathing Techniques
• Journaling and Art Therapy
• Progressive Muscle Relaxation
• Affirmations
• Moxibustion
• Meditation
• Mudras and Mantras
• Crystal Therapy
• Reiki Healing
• Trance Work and Drumming
• Dance Therapy

Which led me to become a professional

• Bach Flower Remedy Practitioner
• Meditation Facilitator
• Reiki Level 2 Practitioner
• Personal Development Coach
• Tarot Reader
• Munay-Ki Tutor

Some of these were more helpful than others in helping me deal with my anxiety. I’m happy to expand on any of the things in these lists if you’d like to know a bit more about them. I’m more familiar with some and not much with others but I might be able to shed some light on the experience if nothing else!

Over the next while, I’m planning to explore a few of these treatments/therapies/approaches in a bit more detail. My hope is that it will inspire you to seek out new ways of looking after yourself, if you feel you need that.

Sending you all my warmest wishes for a peaceful week ahead,

Sasha