It is totally normal to feel anxious these days. The news is scary, your routine has been upset, you’re unable to sit and talk with support people, and you have fewer distractions. So, what to do?

GROUND YOURSELF in the HERE AND NOW – stay in the present moment.

Here’s how:

1. Look around, what do you see? Use all of your senses to notice your surroundings. See the details on the walls, feel the temperature in the room, what do you smell, what sounds do you hear, what can you touch and/or taste in your surroundings?
2. Focus your attention on your breath. There’s no need to change the rhythm of it, no need to regulate it in any way, just notice it. There is no reason to change the pace of your breath. Just keep focusing on it.
3. If it’s too difficult to pay attention to your breath, simply count your inhales and exhales.
4. When your mind wanders, and it will, gently bring your focus back to your breath or to counting your inhales and exhales.

Keep this up for about 5 minutes.

Practice the above several times a day. The more you practice, the easier it will become for you.