Alleviating Fear & Anxiety… Just Breathe
The importance of self-care, in my mind, can’t be overstated. It’s become a priority in my life over these past 18 months, and it will continue to be a focus going forward.
Recently, on Oct. 10, we observed World Mental Health Day. As individuals across the globe focused on mental health, I shared six key actions I believe can help to bring balance into our lives.
- Get a Good Night’s Sleep
- Nourish Your Body
- Exercise Regularly
- Limit Screen Time
- Engage with Others (and the World Around You)
- Explore Nature
I invite you to read more about these steps in this blog post.
Self-Care: 8 key tips to help you invest in yourself.
Just Breathe…
One action not listed, but that’s helped me tremendously, is something I’ve talked about previously (and in the video above): Purposeful Breathing.
As part of the #AskKevinGuest social media series, members of my online community have asked questions and I’ve answered a few on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (please feel free to tag me in your questions).
One question centered on my seemingly relaxed nature on stage and asked how I work to alleviate any fear or anxiety that might naturally occur when presenting or performing in front of large groups.
First, I’m glad to hear my anxieties and self-doubts aren’t readily apparent. It’s something I continue to work on. That said, I’ve definitely experienced my share of panic on stage.
In fact, one story I share in my book All the Right Reasons, discusses an especially uneasy moment backstage ahead of a performance at the Grand Ole Opry.
Here I was about to perform on one of music’s most-hallowed stages and a flood of negative self-talk entered my mind. My heart raced, I questioned my abilities, and I couldn’t enjoy the experience.
Fortunately, at that moment, I leaned on a breathing exercise I’d learned. It’s something I now do regularly — before important presentations or performances and any time I catch myself feeling anxious or stressed.
A Breathing Exercise
I take viewers through the exercise in this video, but if you think about a square, you can picture the exercise (closing your eyes also helps):
- Breathe in for four counts
- Hold it in for four counts
- Exhale slowly for another four counts
- And finally, maintain the exhale for four counts before repeating the cycle
I usually do that four times. It’s amazing how it sets my mind right. It allows me to become present and to achieve what I know I’m capable of accomplishing.
If you’ve tried this or similar breathing exercises, I’d love to hear about how they’ve worked for you. Please feel free to leave a comment and let me know.
And don’t forget… Just Breathe.
A version of this article originally went to e-newsletter subscribers on Sept. 21, 2021. I invite you to subscribe.
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