|
Listen to Article + Become a member for exclusives 👍🏽
 |
In The Latest Entertainment News Of Michelle Obama
The former first lady has been a true inspiration to many in the world especially women of color. Ahead of her new book’s release, The Light We Carry, she gave an exclusive interview with People sharing how she organizes parts of her life that are a struggle amid worldly chaos.
Between the impact of the late George Floyd’s death, COVID-19 and its global effect, the January 6 Capitol riots, and more disheartening news, saddened her.
“We were all at home watching what felt like our country and our world unraveling. The death tolls mounting, violence, the insurrection, healthcare system crushed, all of it,” Obama said. “I was in a low place.”
As a result, Obama picked up new habits such as learning skills through YouTube tutorials and knitting with her yarn in a tote. This was just one of the activities she used to decompress from built-up anxiety. Her memoir, which comes out Nov. 15, also detailed her struggles with self-doubt and change,
“… Over the 58 years that I’ve lived, I can look back and I can say, this is how I deal with fear. These are the things I say to myself when I need to pick myself up,” she said. “This is how I stay visible in a world that doesn’t necessarily see a tall Black woman. This is how I stay armored up when I’m attacked. The book is that offering.”
Another highlight was how Obama judges her own appearance when she looks in the mirror,
“I personally have plenty of mornings when I flip on the bathroom light, take one look, and desperately want to flip it off again.”
What she sees as “dry and puffy,” the mother of two admits she’s working on being more good-natured to the person she sees daily,
“So today when I’m looking at the mirror, I still see what’s wrong, but I try to push those thoughts out and say, ‘Wow, you are healthy. Look at your skin. Look how happy you look, your smile.’ I try to find the things about me that I love and start my day a little more kind.”
She added,
“And that’s just a small simple tool. It doesn’t require a gym membership. It doesn’t require anybody else.”
As for coping mechanisms for fear and anxiety, the celebrated public figure enjoys certain television networks such as the HGTV network and LIfetime’s Married at First Sight,
“TV is an escape for me. I am a fully informed citizen. I read the paper, I get briefs, I sit with Barack Obama every night. I know what’s happening in the world. When I’m by myself, I need to be able to turn my head off and think about wallpaper,” she said.
According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, contributors to anxiety include: (1) feeling nervous, (2) feeling helpless, (3) a sense of panic, danger, or doom, (4) an increase in heart rate, (5) hyperventilating, (6) sweating, (7) trembling, and (8) obsessing over panic triggers.
However, here are some great ways to combat those triggers even though the feelings may not go away, immediately:
- Stay active, physically.
Develop a routine so that you’re physically active most days of the week. Exercise is a powerful stress reducer. It can improve your mood and help you stay healthy. Start out slowly, and gradually increase the amount and intensity of your activities. - Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs.
These substances can cause or worsen anxiety. If you can’t quit on your own, see your healthcare provider or find a support group to help you. - Minimize smoking and caffeine consumption.
Nicotine and caffeine can worsen anxiety. - Use stress management and relaxation techniques.
Visualization techniques, meditation, and yoga are examples of relaxation techniques that can ease anxiety. - Prioritize a good night’s rest
Do what you can to make sure you’re getting enough sleep to feel rested. If you aren’t sleeping well, talk with your healthcare provider. - Increase healthier food intake.
A healthy diet that incorporates vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fish may be linked to reduced anxiety, but more research is needed. - Discover your disorder.
Talk to your healthcare provider to find out what might be causing your specific condition and what treatments might be best for you. Involve your family and friends, and ask for their support. - Stick to a self-created treatment plan.
Take medications as directed. Keep therapy appointments and complete any assignments your therapist gives. Consistency can make a big difference, especially when it comes to taking your medication. - Get to know your trigger points.
Learn what situations or actions cause you to stress or increase your anxiety. Practice the strategies you developed with your mental health provider so you’re ready to deal with anxious feelings in these situations.
