No matter where you are in your life or the world right now, things can get loud. There are distractions, too many spam emails, another last-minute assignment, an illness, the latest breaking news, etc. Maybe you’re a person who responds with a fast heartbeat, or you want to hide under a blanket. Or perhaps you’re like me: I tend to vacillate between those options. The truth is that the world is going to have days like this, even longer timelines like this, and there are ways to bring yourself back to a sense of safety. You may not be able to solve the problems, but you can reorient to a mindset that can handle whatever comes your way.

Whenever you notice your brain going in a direction that feels frightened or overwhelmed…

Come Back to the Body

A common trauma tool is the five-senses grounding. This helps your brain come back to the present moment instead of catapulting to the future or getting stuck in the past. What you’ll do is:

• Notice your breathing. You don’t need to change it, just notice it.
• Look around the room or space you’re in and note 5 things you SEE.
• Notice 4 things you can TOUCH.
• Find 3 things you can HEAR.
• Acknowledge 2 things you can SMELL.
• Note 1 thing you can TASTE.

When you are done, tap into your body to see how you feel. Even if the anxiety or other feeling isn’t completely gone, notice what has changed. A little calmer is a good goal. With practice, this becomes easier and easier.

Make a Place for the Overwhelm

When I have something I can’t control or influence, I make an altar to it. This can be small and simple, with an item or note that describes the worry. This way, the issue has a place to be, but it can also be separate from me. You can visit this place when you want to engage, but you can also let it be something that exists without having to impact you negatively. If you feel the issue is resolved, you can take the altar down.

The best approach to overwhelm is to plan for it. It’s going to happen, no matter what your life is like in this moment. When you come up with a strategy to help yourself relax, this will allow you to focus on the moment in front of you, further reducing your reaction to future stressors.

When you help your body feel safe, your brain will interpret things as being safe, too. And the more you cultivate safety, the more you will feel empowered to handle whatever comes next.

Irisanya Moon (she/they) is an author, Witch, priestess, teacher, and initiate in the Reclaiming tradition. She has served the godds, her community, and the Earth for 20+ years, and is a devotee of Aphrodite, Hecate, the Norns, and Iris. They are passionate about the idea that life is and we are a love spell, a dance of desire and connection, moving in and out of the heart, always returning to love. www.irisanyamoon.com

For more details: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/authors/irisanya-moon