277: How Not to Freak Out
This episode was recorded on March 10, 2020, days after many conferences have been canceled or postponed amid rising coronavirus fears.
If you’re feeling worried, overwhelmed, or anxious, this could be an extra-special episode for you. Listen in to learn how you can tap into the science of positive psychology, leverage your strengths, and use your six senses. I’ve even included a list for each sense regarding what I’ll cover in the episode!
I’ll discuss:
The history of the positive psychology movement
How to use your strengths from the Values in Action questionnaire to manage your feelings
Why you should tap into your senses when you want to feel calm
Touch
Get anger out of your body through dancing or exercising
Try self-havening or having havening applied to you
Get out fidgeting with a stress ball, foot massage, crystal, or anything that works for you
Aim to give and receive 10 hugs a day—hugs give you oxytocin which is the same neurotransmitter you feel when you orgasm, when a mother breastfeeds her child, or when you feel trust
Research by McDonald in 2010 showed that hugs give you a feeling of connection and attachment
Research by Light in 2005 show an increase in oxytocin can lower blood pressure
Strike a yoga pose such as child’s pose, savasana, or wall yoga
Pet your pet to get dopamine and oxytocin
Use a weighted blanket for grounding
Take an epsom salt bath to aid in recovery and increase magnesium
Self-massage, including a foot massage, in the shower
Write in a journal, write a forgiveness letter, or write a “3 Amazing Things” list
Taste
Eat comfort foods—as long as you are not feeding your emotions
Drink calming teas including chamomile, peppermint, and lemon balm
Smell
Diffuse essential oils:
When feeling overwhelmed, use orange, lavender, marjoram, ylang-ylang, juniper berry or vetiver
When feeling fatigued, use basil
When you want to feel empowered, use ginger
Smell a favorite cologne or perfume
Spray a room spray from a favorite hotel
Hear
Listen to empowering music and have a dance party while you’re at it! I like:
Optimistic by Sounds of Blackness
The Edge of Glory by Lady Gaga
We’re All in This Together from “High School Musical”
Get outside and listen to nature
Use your “Sixth Sense” (your gut!)
How to tap into your gut
Do nothing and just see what comes up
Flip a coin to see what you really want
Links Discussed
Values in Action (VIA)
Tweet me your biggest takeaways from the episode at @KariGormley—I’d love to hear from you!
Contact:
Kari Gormley:
Twitter: @KariGormley
Instagram: @KariGormley
[Header photo by Elijah O'Donnell on Unsplash]