Sunday nights are kind of terrible.
Battling fear over something you did while out on the rip over the weekend; stressing about the week ahead – nothing can trigger anxiety quite like this time of the week.
Woo.
Here are a few ways to help you calm yourself this evening and feel slightly less awful.
1.Lay out EVERYTHING
Like, all your clothes for the morning (undies and socks and all), your lunch, your keys, money for the bus or a coffee, the whole lot.
Being on top of shit will help settle your mind.
2. Tee up a good podcast for the morning
Anything to make the thought of getting out of bed tomorrow easier.
3. Leave the house
You don’t have to run a marathon but getting out for even half an hour will help to break the cycle of thoughts in your head.
Even if it’s late – just get up and walk off some of that anxious energy.
4. Eat a sleepy meal
Not necessarily a takeaway but something comforting that will help you wind down. If making it yourself from scratch will help you to feel less anxious, do that.
5. Address your fear head-on
This sounds scary but just go with us.
Draw a mind map outlining what has you feeling anxious and look at potential conclusions – what will actually happen here? Why is it bothering me?
6. Start a gratitude journal
Grab a pen and a notebook, write down the date and jot down three things you’re grateful for. It could be a friend, your job, your home or even a cute dog you saw that day.
Taking stock of the nice things in your life can only make you feel better.
7. Avoid certain apps
A complete smartphone ban can be hard to stick to (we’re only human) but maybe stay away from things that’ll make you feel bad about yourself or just more anxious in general, be it Instagram, WhatsApp or whatever.
Turn off notifications or temporarily delete the app if that helps.
8. Call someone you haven’t chatted to in a while
You don’t have to talk about how you’re feeling, just say hi to someone and catch up.
9. Make midweek plans
Don’t have nothing to look forward to until next weekend – schedule a walk, a cinema date or coffee with someone to break up the days to come.
*It’s worth noting that if anxiety is becoming a regular thing that’s interfering with your life, you might need to seek proper help.
Here are some organisations that can offer advice.
The Samaritans
www.samaritans.ie
Tel: 116 123
Text: 087 2 60 90 90
Email: [email protected]
Reach Out
Anxiety Ireland
Mental Health Ireland