Congratulations & Thank You for Joining the Program.
In this unprecedented period of global uncertainty, we felt it was necessary to put together this program to provide our community with much needed support.
The first thing to note right now is that it’s completely normal to be experiencing a wide range of emotions. Accepting your feelings is an important first step to building resilience. The simple act of naming your emotions has been found to benefit wellbeing. So, take a moment now to tune into your body and notice how you’re feeling. Circle the emotions that you identify with:
• Anxious
• Stressed
• Worried
• Fearful
• Low
• Lonely
• Overwhelmed
• Helpless
• Frustrated
• Guilty
• Angry
Remember: It’s okay to feel discomfort. Accepting distress is often the quickest way to feel immediately calmer.
- Do you show any of these signs of stress:
- Chest tightness and feeling like you can’t breathe
- Muscle tension, aches and pains
- Headaches
- Difficulty sleeping
- Restlessness and an inability to relax
- Heart palpitations
- Digestive issues
Anxiety can occur on its own, as a response to stress, or it can trigger stress. When it occurs as a response to stress, it can intensify the stress, and, in worst cases, lead to panic attacks.
It’s important to understand that you cannot control anxiety from occurring – this is your brain’s automatic survival mechanism. What matters is learning how to respond to anxiety helpfully, so that you don’t get carried away by it.
Here are five examples of what to look out for:
In the 9 days that we would be together, we would use cognitive behaviour therapy to better respond to the anxiety and the stress you are feeling.
Cheers and see you soon!!!
Vikaas Kausshik!