5 Ways to stay calm and feel confident in uncertain times

1) Breathe! – If in doubt breathe! When things are getting too much or you’re in overwhelm take a breath! Breathing changes our physiology and it can calm our thoughts. Breathe in for 4, hold it for and breathe out for 4. Concentrate on your breathing and do this sequence a few times until you feel more relaxed.

2) Focus on the things that are in your control - Focus on things you can change! Energy flows where focus goes. Our brains are constantly being bombarded with information- around 11 million pieces of information per second! That’s way too much information for our brains to cope with and in fact our brains can only process 126 pieces per second. What we pay attention to is governed by several things - our past experience, our state/mood, our mindset, ... focus your mind on positive experiences and situations and your brain will select that information.?

3) Think positively and be kind to yourself! – Self talk is so important! We’ve all been there when we say negative things to ourselves. Be conscious of the things that you’re saying to yourself, and when you catch yourself saying negative things flip it! For example if you keep thinking “I’ve never got any money” stop yourself and say to yourself and ideally write it down the positive version of that for example “I always find the money I need”. Remember if you’re looking for something to go wrong you’ll find it.?

4) Change your state – How we hold ourselves is so important. Don’t slouch and frown, this is the go to place when we are feeling down. Sit up/stand with your shoulders back and smile. It will feel weird to start but quickly you’ll feel a difference. And if you have a favourite power song play it whilst you’re getting ready in the morning.?

5) Get present! – Anxiety usually stems from thinking about the past (what has gone wrong) and the future (what might go wrong). To get present concentrate on what is happening immediately around you. What can you see, feel, touch, taste. Combine this with the breathing to bring anxiety levels right down.