Energy or Anxiety? (5 things you can start doing NOW)

Someone once told me that they loved my energy level. Go, go, go. Busy, busy, busy. Always on the move, from one thing to the next. A mover and a shaker, productive, and active.

I don't like the term busy body, but for lack of a better description, that is what I was. Boundless energy, and a strong desire to keep moving. If I wasn't "doing something" I became fidgety and anxious.

Most of my life these actions continued without investigation. I was constantly hyping myself up, feeding on the energy, pushing my limits in every possible way, both mentally and physically.

I didn't see this as a problem. Why would I? I had become a champion of G.S.D. (getting shit done).

There have always been times in my life where anxiety would creep in on me. Little attacks bringing a general feeling on unease, and shortness of breath. Studying the self, examining my every thought, dinging tirelessly at the root of every emotion has lead me to many discoveries about my habitual anxiety.

All that energy, that busyness, it's almost as if I was addicted to the surges of adrenaline. I was constantly hyping myself up, mistaking anxiety for energy. For so long I was blind to the hurt I was causing myself, literally worrying myself ill. Once I realized I had a problem, my next move was clear.

A change was needed. This had to stop.

Photo by the amazing David Rivera - Revolution Photos

When you have less anxiety you will have more energy. Here are five things you should be doing if you are trying to cut down on your anxiety levels.



1. Drop the "what if's".

Examine where your anxiety is coming from. Do not allow yourself to worry over events that aren't even happening yet. If you are worrying over the future your mind is not in the present and you are missing out on this moment. Greet each situation as it approaches. It is not healthy to get wrapped up in the future.

2. Do your best & forget the rest.

Give everything you do 100%. It doesn't matter if you are washing your hair or working on a huge project at work, give everything your all. If you "fail" remember that your best is all you have to give. If you truly tried your hardest there is nothing to be ashamed of.

 Being hard on yourself or getting stuck on what you could have done is not helpful. Nothing will change the past. Every "failure" is a learning opportunity. Let it go and be grateful for the learning opportunity.

3. Do one thing at a time.

"Hello, my name is PadmaKisa, and I am a recovering multitask-er." Another deadly addiction. If you are multitasking you are probably not acting with mindfulness. Give each task your full attention, you will have better results and less errors. Also being mindful is very relaxing, being able to stay calm with each task you take on leaves little room for anxiety to sneak in.

4. Don't try to control everything. 

There will always be situations that are out of your control. It is much easier to be happy when you decide to go with the flow and stop trying to control what is happening around you. Be open each new situation as it arises.

Also don't pretend you can control what other people do, think, and feel. You only have control over one person - you.

5. Get to know your feelings.

Self-study is very useful. Examine the source of your anxiety and have compassion for yourself. Ignoring the problem will not make it go away. Start a journal or talk to someone you trust about your feelings.

Anxiety is an ancient survival tool, that doesn't serve us well in the modern world. Everyone has the potential to feel anxiety as well as the potential to rise above it.

A Buddha in the Office - 5 Tips For Bringing the Dharma to Work

Depending on where you work, remaining calm and mindful though the work day may seem like a nearly impossible task. Many jobs these days are extremely high pressure (or is it that we perceive these jobs as high pressured?).

With all the demands and deadlines, how can we be Buddhas all day every day, especially where we need it the most - at work.

Here are a few things to try or consider:

1. Do not worry over "who's job is it". If there is a job to do, and you are capable - Do it! How can you expect to cultivate oneness in the work place if your mindset fosters an "every man for himself" attitude. If everyone works as a team, your workplace will flow harmoniously.

2. Task Lists. Don't get hung up on how much you have to do today. If you start out your day dreading your ever-growing task list, you are preparing yourself for a bad day. Your mind will go where it has been mentally dressed to go. You can do this, just jump in. When faced with a multitude of tasks, organize your task list in order of urgency. Then start from the top.

• Do one thing at a time, giving each individual task your full attention as it arises. Just do the next thing, and then the next thing, until your list is complete.

• If  your job allows for other tasks arise during your day, drop them into your task list in the appropriate spot in accordance with it's importance, or deadline. You are only human, and can only do so much in one day. Don't stress. 

3. Never stop appreciating your job. If you take what you have for granted you are bound to loose it, or loose your love for it. It is important to love what you do. Perspective is a large part of this. Try to focus on all the things that you enjoy about your job. If you cannot find things to be grateful for at work, perhaps it is time to move on.

4. Connect with your coworkers on a deeper level. There may be some people in the office that you instantly "click" with, but an office full of "click-ie" people can quickly become a negative environment. Make an effort to really get to know the people in your office that fall outside of your "inner circle". Think inclusion not exclusion.

5. Be a leader. Even if you are not in a management roll, be a good role model and a leader.  True leaders do not ask to become leaders, their virtues and compassion naturally attract followers.

Listening to My Body

My body is a friend.
It is the place that all the pieces of me reside.
Not me, but a place, a home that I must care for and maintain.
What an amazing gift a human body is.
If I take the time to listen, it speaks to me.
My body doesn't ask for much - just healthy, organic foods, exercise and rest.
It asks for so very little, and in return offers me a place to live a long and comfortable life.
How lovely!

Sometimes the mind and body do not seem to see eye to eye.
Work and worldly issues hinder my ability to hear the body's requests.
What a shame.

The downward spiral, slipping and falling.
Putting off exercise and rest.
"There is too much else to do."
Priorities waiver, but the nagging remains in the back of my head. . .

"Lets go for a run!"
"Stop staying up all night!"
"Really, ANOTHER cup of coffee?!"
"Yoga is good foe body and mind."
"Stop and relax - please?"

Eventually I give in.
Back on the right track, but I can't help but wonder how I got lost in the first place.