Can’t remember when you last felt calm? Currently, the average woman in her 50s feels anxious for over an hour-and-a-half each day, compared to 57 minutes before the COVID-19 pandemic kicked in.* ‘There’s a real worry about mental health at the moment, with feelings of vulnerability and helplessness,’ says chartered psychologist Dr Meg Arroll.
Want to add some much-needed calm to your day? Try these techniques…
Meet our experts…
Dr Meg Arroll is a chartered psychologist on behalf of Healthspan
Dr Sophie Bostock is a sleep expert at Bensons for Beds
Play gratitude bingo
‘Gratitude has been shown to help you feel calm,’ says Dr Arroll. ‘Make your own “gratitude bingo board” by dividing a sheet of paper into 16 squares. Label each one with things you’re grateful for, such as a sunny day or good friends. Do this with your family – ask everyone to think of things they’re grateful for. Place counters on each of the squares that apply each day. This quick game can be a real worry-buster.’
The empty jar trick
‘Find an empty jar and label it: “This Is Me”. Then take 10-20 small pieces of paper and write down your positive characteristics on each,’ says Dr Arroll. ‘Pop them in the jar, then next time you start to feel frantic, pull out a trait. Remind yourself of specific times you felt like that and how you can use it again in the future.’
Stop anxious thoughts fast
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