It’s normal for artists to experience more anxiety than most so we need to manage it. It’s possible to recognise anxiety and wrestle back control so that we can continue forward. But like any great skill it takes practice and time.
Video:
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Podcast:
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Video Transcript:
Hi. John Paul Fischbach here, the CEO and Chief Alchemist of the Auspicious Arts Incubator. This week I want to offer you a two-step anxiety management system. The first thing is to understand why many of us seem to be hardwired for anxiety. It’s largely because as artists we put ourselves out there a lot. We are creators.
Liz O’Brien, who is one of our awesome coaches here at the Incubator helped me understand how anxiety works. She explains that anxiety is actually a normal part of the stress response. The stress response is a physiological response in the body when it’s aware that something is in danger or that something is risky or something has got a lot riding on it. It’s a normal way to kind of get an internal sense of importance. There’s nothing wrong with anxiety unless it stops you being able to function.
The simple thing to do when you recognize that you’ve got anxiety is dont beat yourself up. Acknowledge that it’s normal and just say okay, that’s what this is. I’m feeling anxious. This lets your subconscious mind know that you have received the warning and that you’re aware and you’re going to deal with it.
Now, it’s time to reassert control or your autonomic nervous system and alter your physiological response. The simple two part strategy to use is a mindfulness one that Liz uses all the time. One which is just to stop and take three slow deep breaths. That’s it. The first step is stop. Come back to being present in the moment. Give yourself something physical to focus on. It might be the phone that is in your hand. Examine the texture, the weight, the feeling, the temperature and then notice the rest of your body, notice how you’re standing, how you’re breathing or your posture is because when you connect with your body, you slow down and eventually you turn off the stress response.
Then you’re ready for step two. Take three slow deep breaths. It sounds simple but you have to force yourself not just one breath but it’s three breaths. Take the time for three slow full breaths and your heart rate will settle. Your blood rate will come down and you’ll start to feel calmer, more settled and focused. You’ll actually find that you’re now in a state of relaxed alertness and that has replaced the state of anxiety. The anxiety is still there but you’re managing it.
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