- Why some are worried about ending lockdown
- Two natural remedies for anxiety
- Why tapping your eye could relieve stress
Anxiety is on a sharp rise.
All the new evidence points to it.
And this pandemic era, it’s a case of being between a rock and hard place for many people.
Because anxiety is hitting very different groups of people in different situations.
For instance, have you been homeworking during the pandemic?
In the Guardian last Sunday, there were results from a survey that showed a rise in stress among homeworkers.
Factors include loneliness, isolation and fears of losing their jobs or livelihoods.
Or perhaps homeworking has done you some favours – allowing you to spend more time with family, do more exercise and save money?
Then you might be apprehensive about what will happen after 21st of July.
And you wouldn’t be alone…
A survey by the medical insurer Vitality, estimates that 50% of homeworkers feel anxious about returning to the office after all the restrictions lift.
And another recent survey by OnePoll, carried out in Scotland, shows that this applies to social lives too.
It found that 58% were apprehensive about the end of lockdown, 38% said it would take time to feel comfortable socialising again, and 26% were worried about their ability to readjust.
Those are big numbers, aren’t they?
You’d think it might be the other way round…
An easing of restrictions and a return to some semblance of our old lives should actually decrease anxiety.
But not so…
For a lot of people, the past year has given their mental health a battering. A return to the workplace – or to things like family gatherings and social events – can actually increase their stress.
So in the same way as the onset of the pandemic caused us all to deal with sudden, traumatic changes to our way of life, so too will the end of the pandemic.
And when I say ‘end’ I don’t mean it’s going to be over any time soon.
But we are seeing a kind of light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to the easing of restrictions on our movements later in July.
So what do we do about the lingering anxiety problems from this nightmare?
Is CBD oil right for you?
One thing that a lot of people might turn to in times like these is CBD.
Cannabis oil is renowned for its abilities to reduce anxiety in some people.
Those who find that it works for them will absolutely swear by it. However, it really is something you need to test out yourself to know whether it does the trick for you.
If so, then I’d urge caution, as there are a lot of poor products out there, as I’ve explained in this newsletter before.
In our shop, we stock Canabidol™ raw oil, which we reckon is the best choice you can make – and here’s why:
- It’s the only UK brand who guarantee that their products are legal, safe and compliant to new Home Office regulations on THC content.
- Their high quality of manufacture ensures consistency and quality. No solvents are used in the extraction of the CBD and it is pesticide-free, made from 100% organically grown plants.
- It is tested to make sure there are no naturally occurring soil bacteria and mould spores present that could cause it to spoil or have side effects.
- Their raw oil retains its terpenes – compounds which give the oil its flavour and colour. This means it has a much better taste and cleaner feeling in the mouth than others we have tried.
You can find out more here: Raw CBD Oil.
Or if CBD isn’t for you, how about this…?
The mineral you rub on your legs
I recommend that you try rubbing some magnesium oil into your legs every night. It can reduce the problems of sleepless nights and anxiety.
I know it sounds strange to use magnesium like a lotion, but a clinical study by the University of Cardiff has shown this to be FIVE TIMES more effective than capsule-based supplements.
You can find out more here: Magnesium Lotion
Now, as an avid reader of these letters, you probably know about CBD and magnesium already.
So here is an unusual remedy for anxiety that you might not have heard before.
Why tapping your body can relieve stress
Emotional freedom technique (EFT) is a treatment for emotional distress that’s also known as ‘tapping’ or ‘psychological acupressure’.
Basically, you tap at certain points on your body while concentrating on a specific emotional worry.
Its practitioners believe that tapping helps create balance in your mind and body.
I know a lot of people would scoff at this idea but research is showing that there could be something in it.
For instance, a 2019 study in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine has linked tapping to reduced anxiety, depression, and even lower blood pressure.
So how does it work?
Well, first you need to decide upon a phrase that captures the problem you’re trying to address, for instance your worries about going back to work, or attending a huge social event for the first time.
Then you need to tap on the ‘meridians’ on each side of the body, which are linked to specific internal organs.
Karate chop (this refers to the centre of the fleshy part of the outside of your hand between the top of your wrist and the base of your little finger):
- top of head
- eyebrow
- side of the eye
- under the eye
- under the nose
- chin
- beginning of the collarbone
- under the arm
It’s an interesting idea, but not something I’ve ever seen in action. I’d recommend you go to an expert to get treated and see how it feels.
Oh, and if you’ve ever tried it, let me know how you got on!
Finally, here’s a very quick stress-relief tip…
When you feel like things are overwhelming you, stand in front of a wall and push your hands against it as hard as possible as if you’re trying to break through it.
Then release that pressure, suddenly.
This quick release is said to have an instantly calming effect.
Just make sure you don’t end up pushing your house down!
