38 Comments

My touchstone object is my teddy bear, Baby. I've had her since I was a year old. I got her restored last fall.

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Sweet

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About tea: Some years ago a friend introduced me to the wide range of Chinese teas. Preparing these from the leaves with either a traditional tea-set turns drinking the tea into a kind of meditation ritual. I can imagine the Japanese tea ceremony does the same. If you have the right equipment, you can make several infusions, enough to last several hours. It’s very relaxing. 🍵

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Agreed. Thank you.

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My go to is always to do something physical

That’s why I go to my gym very early in the morning

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Thanks for the follow-up tips! Aside from the ones you mentioned, I also do Pilates and take dance classes to keep moving. Playing with pets is also soothing, as well as a welcome distraction. I have also found that watching tennis helps me focus on something else, and deflect from my anxiety.

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Yes. Yoga for me. And the pups!

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Tapping, also known as emotional freedom technique, works wonders for me. I use The Tapping Solution app.

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I use tapping too. Should’ve included that one. I actually did some tapping on a plane ride the other day. Thank you!

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Such a great tool!!!!

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“When in doubt, tap it out!” Tapping is truly a beautiful healing modality. Personal witness. Thank you for this. :)

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This could not have arrived at a more helpful time. It's almost mystical.

You are just the best.

Thank you!

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SOUTHERNISMS:

GIVE MORE GRACE/LISTEN MORE CLOSELY/DANCE MORE OFTEN/HUG MORE NECKS/READ MORE BOOKS/MAKE MORE BISCUITS/GROW MORE TOMATOES/BUY MORE LOCAL/SAVE MORE RECIPES/TAKE MORE PICTURES/VISIT MORE FRIENDS/LEARN MORE HISTORY/LOOK MORE DEEPLY/CAN MORE VEGGIES/CAST MORE VOTES/PLAY MORE RECORDS/START MORE CONVERSATIONS/SEE MORE BANDS/TAKE MORE WALKS/CONSIDER MORE PERSPECTIVES/EAT MORE GRITS/HAVE MORE MERCY/BLESS MORE HEARTS/DRIVE MORE BACKROADS/CALL HOME MORE OFTEN/TELL MORE STORIES

Source unknown but sounds about right

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Your tips are excellent and so effective for lowering anxiety and calming the mind and body. My favorite touchstone is my kitty Bella Blue (okay, she’s 10 so technically a senior cat). Stoking her soft warm belly, listening to her purr and seeing the look of pure bliss in her face as her eyes get all squinty while I scratch her littler chin … puts me in such a Zen state of mind.

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a good, powerful, put-your-body-into-it scream, howl, or barbaric yawp always help release tension

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Zanax, yes Allison it is a great day in Tennessee!

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Ha! Tried that one too. Makes me nuts. Glad it works for you!

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Good follow up :)

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I've got one of my own his name is Reggie and he's my ♥ his soft purr and his eyes are so beautiful that it's like a miracle just that we found each other

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Thanks for the tips! They are helpful and centered. You have helped me realize a situation I have let stress me is really just anxiety and the ways you describe to get through that is wonderful.. I'm feeling better and focusing on getting prepared and working through it. Thank you, thank you. Love to you, Allison.

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A long, leisurely walk in the woods.

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You. Sheryl Crow. Bonnie Raitt. Heart. Nina Simone. James Brown. Marvin Gaye. Miles Davis. Bad Company. The Zombies. Rondo Veneziano. That’s the music I turn to to shift the energy for me.

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Thank you. JB

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