Lowering Anxiety In Crazy Times

Do you ever look at the news and feel like the world’s spinning a bit too fast? Sometimes it’s hard to catch your breath or calm your racing thoughts. In this episode, I talk about that rush of anxiety and how we can rein it in, even for a moment.

We dive into the ups and downs of feeling anxious in uncertain times. I share personal reflections about what’s been on my mind and why it helps to pause, notice your reactions, and reclaim a sense of peace. It’s an honest look at how stress can creep in, along with some practical ways to feel just a bit more grounded.

Why It Feels So Overwhelming

For many of us, the modern world seems to blast us with information all day. Scrolling through one social feed after another can feed our fears if we’re not careful. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, but there’s something comforting about recognising it and not blaming ourselves for those anxious twinges.

I’ve been there myself, and I’ve noticed it’s not just about big news events. Even small personal worries can stack up until we’re carrying too much. Identifying these pockets of stress is the first step. When you see the little triggers, you can start to manage them one by one.

“Sometimes the brain gets stuck on a loop, tracking every possible danger. That’s when I stop and remind myself: let’s take back just a little control.”

Understanding What’s Really Happening

Anxiety often arises faster than we can think it through. It’s an automatic response, especially if you’ve got a busy mind or a creative spark that’s always humming. Our minds are designed to keep us safe, scanning for threats. That’s why we sometimes fixate on the bad stuff.

The good news is we don’t have to stay in that hyperalert state. Realising the brain’s just doing its job can help you ease up on the pressure you put on yourself. The next time you catch those swirling thoughts, remember they’re normal reactions to a complicated world.

Simple Ways to Take Back Control

One of the easiest tools is to slow your breathing and focus on something present. Anxious thoughts pull you into a future full of imaginary disasters. Grounding activities bring you back to the real moment you’re in. It’s a powerful shift.

Here are a few techniques I suggest trying:

• Breathing Exercises: Take slow, deep breaths for a count of four, and exhale for a count of four. Don’t rush it. Let your shoulders drop.
• Body Check-ins: Notice tight spots (often the shoulders and neck). Relax those areas with small stretches.
• Distraction Breaks: Step away from your phone or laptop. Look at something truly ordinary and name small details aloud.

Talking It Out

I’ve found that sharing these feelings or concerns with someone you trust can be a relief. It’s safe to say that we don’t always feel we can talk about anxiety, especially if we think we need to tough it out alone or hide it. Yet a friendly ear can shift everything.

If you catch yourself holding it all in, think of someone who might relate even a little. A quick chat or even a text exchange can break the cycle. If you don’t have someone nearby, consider writing your worries in a journal or speaking them out loud to yourself. Hearing your concerns in your own voice can be surprisingly clarifying.

Tiny Mindset Shifts

You don’t have to completely silence your anxious thoughts—just nudge them to the side so you can keep going. Shifting your mindset might be as simple as reminding yourself that tough feelings come and go. No emotion is permanent, and no anxious bout lasts forever.

Try these small mindset tweaks:

1. Remember that anxiety serves a purpose. It’s a signal, not a final verdict.
2. Give yourself permission to pause before reacting. Even a brief pause can lessen panic.
3. Celebrate small victories. Deciding to take a breath instead of spiralling is a win.

Making these shifts takes practice, but it’s worth the effort. When you see even a small change in how you handle stress, you’ll start to build trust in yourself.

• Notice what triggers your anxious moments.
• Experiment with grounding methods that fit your lifestyle.
• Offer yourself kindness first—no beating yourself up.
• Share your feelings with someone safe when you can.
• Keep reminding yourself that anxiety waxes and wanes.

Key Takeaways

Before you go, here are a few condensed pointers:

• The world is crazy, but you’re not alone in feeling anxious.
• Understanding your triggers helps you break free from looping thoughts.
• Simple grounding actions can recenter your thinking in minutes.
• Talking to someone or journalling can lighten the mental weight.
• Small mindset shifts add up to bigger results over time.

If you’d like to hear more about how I tackle this topic, feel free to listen to the full episode above. The podcast player is at the very top of this page, so you won’t miss it. Hope these ideas give you a sense of calm and remind you that you’re never alone in life’s frantic moments.