Australian culture has developed with alcohol being ‘the’ drink for happy, social, in fact, every occasion. But the truth is, alcohol coupled with loneliness, anxiety, stress, fear is a cocktail made in hell. Alcohol and anxiety do not mix. Yes sure, we have all seen the ‘happy drunk!’ But, more often, alcohol fuels the worst in people. Alcohol may numb your mind, but when you wake up the regret can last a lifetime.
Have you ever been so shocked, so overwhelmed or so afraid that your brain freezes! You can’t think! You mind seems addled, and even the simplest task or question confuses you! You are not alone! It is the ‘job’ of our Unconscious Mind to keep us safe! When we are faced with something so horrible, or so confusing that we cannot rationalise, our conscious mind (where we think) shuts down. We verbalise this by saying: ‘I feel like I am walking through treacle or mud.’ It’s as if time stands still. And often we feel detached – like watching a movie – it can’t be real, can it! I can’t think, is the only way to describe this feeling.
Social anxiety is debilitating and holds many people ‘prisoners’ of their own imagination. This type of anxiety usually starts with shyness, but is almost always increased by ‘well-intentioned’ prompting by others. “Don’t be silly… theres nothing to worry about!” (And of course, something happens!) There could be trauma, bullying or mocking memories but ultimately it is our own ‘imagining’ disasters happening that keep us frozen. Life is for living. Here are some tips and hints to help you overcome your fears and start interacting with others.
Do we take laughter seriously enough? I don’t think so. There is huge ‘scientifically proven’ medical benefits to be gained just from laughing. We attract more friends, Our mental wellbeing is better, we tend to be happier and to live longer. Another huge plus, is our mental capiticy also improves. So if you aren’t prone to laugh a lot, make friends with people who do, as laughter is infectious. You cannot help becoming addicted to laughing once it becomes part of your daily life. So copy others, laugh for no reason – fake it till you make it – but laugh every day. You will be amazed how good you begin to constantly feel.
People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you have a genuine friend, you are wealthy beyond words. Friends are precious! Treat them with care and respect. Be the best friend you can be to the people you know, love and respect. Having a true friend is better than all the anxiety medications in the world.
Eco-investing is the new buzzword in financial circles. But buyer beware. Do your due dilligence as, like always, there are good and not-so-good ways to invest your money. Always keep in mind, there are more ways to support your environment than investing in development. The better the deal seems, the deeper one should investigate. Planting tree, living environmentally friendly will impact your environment every day, it is a safer option for most of us.
Our mental health is as fragile as an arm or a leg. It will bend and twist a certain amount. Legs absorb pressure when we jump and fall. But push the limits and they fracture. So to our Minds. Your Mind is flexible, it takes a lot of punishment, and if you get pushed to the limits too often, it may just crack. Like our bones need realigning so too do our Minds need to be rebalanced.
Paste a smile on your face every morning. A smile is contagious. Spread it far and wide wherever you go. Make a person laugh, giggle or crack a grin….. it is the best gift you can give and it’s free. Share your smile every day.
Who hasn’t suffered social anxiety? We have all been there! That special occasion, where we want to make the best impression, and it all goes pear-shaped! Tongue-tied, blushing, hot or cold sweats, etc. Mostly it is a ‘one or twice off event. But for some, social anxiety is a major handicap. Here are 5 tips to conquer social anxiety!
How do you manage stress and anxiety? It is a normal part of life. We need stress to grow, expand our thinking and to challenge our thinking. But we cannot allow stress or anxiety to control us, our decisions or our lives. Decide what works for you and create your own anti-stress plan.
