Back in the day, I constantly overthought many things, which led to confusion and doubt.
But in particular, I worried a lot about the toll chronic pain was taking on my body.
It was hard to focus because my mind was always thinking about what else could go wrong.
When I was experiencing the worst arthritis pain of my life, I had thoughts like, “Why is this pain happening?” or “Will this pain ever end?”
These thoughts would feed my worry because the arthritis pain in my left hip was unbearable.
Fortunately, I have discovered the Tarot and my daily Tarot readings have provided relief, hope, and insight into my life.
Tarot is a tremendous mental health tool I wish I had known about back in my darkest days of living with chronic pain.
If you struggle with anxiety, you’re not alone.
Drawing Tarot card spreads can be helpful in understanding the root of your anxiety as it’s an excellent self-awareness tool.
In this post, I’ll provide:
- a definition of anxiety
- its relationship to chronic pain (because the two can go hand in hand)
- some tips to help you manage it
Last, I’ll give a tarot spread I created you can try if you struggle with anxiety.
photo Pexels by Cottonbro
What’s anxiety and what are the symptoms?
Anxiety is a normal emotion that we all experience.
It’s the feeling you get when you face a challenging situation, such as a job interview, a first date, or public speaking.
For most people, anxiety is mild and manageable. But for some, it can be more severe and debilitating.
Symptoms of anxiety can include:
- increased heart rate
- sweating
- shaking
- shortness of breath
- feelings of dizziness or nausea
If you’re experiencing these symptoms regularly or they’re interfering with your everyday life, it’s important to seek help from a mental health professional.
With treatment, you can learn healthy coping mechanisms and manage your anxiety in a way that works for you.
What is the relationship between anxiety and chronic pain?
It’s no secret that anxiety and chronic pain often go hand-in-hand.
After all, chronic pain can be a major source of stress and anxiety, and the two conditions share many common symptoms, such as fatigue, insomnia, and difficulty concentrating.
They often lead to isolation and social withdrawal, and the relationship between anxiety and chronic pain is complex.
Not only can chronic pain lead to anxiety, but anxiety can also worsen existing chronic pain.
Anxiety can amplify the perception of pain, making it seem more intense than it actually is. In addition, anxiety can cause muscle tension, which can exacerbate existing muscle pain.
Treatment options like cognitive-behavioral therapy have been an effective way to improve both chronic pain and anxiety.
photo Pexels by mentatdgt
How can you manage your anxiety effectively?
One of the most effective ways to manage anxiety is to understand what triggers your anxiety and avoid those triggers.
Do social situations, places, or even people trigger your anxiety?
For some people, news events may trigger anxious thoughts or watching scary shows (like the latest season of Stranger Things). If that’s the case, it might be helpful to limit your exposure to those things.
Other people find that stress triggers their anxiety at work or at home.
In those cases, it might be helpful to develop a relaxation routine that you can do when you feel anxious.
You can include things like deep breathing exercises, meditation, or even just taking a few minutes to yourself to relax. Once you know what triggers your anxiety, you’ll b equipped to manage it.
You might like this: How to Use Meditation to Melt Your Pain Away
Quick and easy breathing exercise for anxiety
If you’re feeling anxious about something, try this quick and easy breathing exercise:
-The deep belly breath: This is a great way to help the body relax and ease tension.
To do this exercise, place one hand on your stomach and inhale deeply so that your stomach expands. Exhale fully and repeat several times.
More tips to help ease anxiety
There are many things you can do to manage anxiety. Here are a few tips to get started:
–Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and improve your overall mental health. Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise can help.
A great exercise you can do at home to manage your anxiety is yoga.
I like the downward-facing dog position because it helps to stretch the entire body while also calming the mind.
photo Pexels by Sam Lion
–Connect with nature: Spend time outside in green spaces and take in the fresh air to help center yourself.
I like to head to the park with a London Fog drink, sit on a bench, take a warm delicious sip and close my eyes.
–Eat a healthy diet: Eating a nutritious diet can help to improve your mood and reduce stress levels.
Include plenty of fruits and vegetables such as berries and kale and whole grains in your diet.
–Get enough sleep: Getting enough sleep is crucial for managing anxiety. Most adults need at least seven hours of sleep per night.
For some people, trying to sleep with chronic pain while dealing with anxiety can be a nightmare.
If you can tolerate heat for your joints, take a warm bath.
This is one of my favorite ways to relax before bed.
Fill up the tub with warm water, add 2 cups of Epsom salt, and 20 drops of your favorite essential oil.
I try to stay in the tub for at least 20 minutes, and then I get out and calm my mind by meditating.
–Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake: Alcohol and caffeine can both contribute to anxiety.
If you find that your anxiety is worse after drinking coffee or alcohol, try reducing your intake of these substances.
I also recommend my coaching clients to stop drinking caffeine at least 6 hours before bedtime. Caffeine can affect serotonin levels in the brain, a neurotransmitter responsible for promoting sleep.
Tarot can be an excellent self-awareness tool for understanding your anxiety
Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time. Whether it’s worrying about a big presentation at work or feeling nervous about a first date, anxiety is a natural reaction.
However, for some people, anxiety can become overwhelming and interfere with daily life.
If you’re looking for a way to gain some insight into your anxiety, try tarot.
Tarot is an excellent self-awareness tool that can help you understand your anxiety and cope with it.
Tarot cards can provide guidance and clarity when you’re feeling lost or confused. They can also help you learn more about yourself and show you ways you can manage your anxiety.
If you’re struggling with anxiety, tarot just might be the key to finding peace of mind.
You might like this: How to Connect to Your Higher Self in 20 Minutes
My Four Card How to Manage Your Anxiety Tarot Spread
This is a simple four-card Tarot spread I created that can be helpful in understanding the root of your anxiety.
Start by shuffling the deck.
Draw four cards.
-The first card represents the root of your anxiety.
-The second card represents how your anxiety may affect different areas of your life.
-The third card represents what you can do to become grounded in your body.
-The fourth card represents advice from your higher self about your anxiety.
Deck: Lightseers Tarot by Chris-Anne
Once you’ve drawn your cards, take a few moments to meditate on each one and what it might represent for you.
Card one can represent what might have caused your anxiety, such as a traumatic event or a change in your routine.
Card two can represent how your anxiety is affecting you currently. This might include things like feeling overwhelmed or stressed out.
Card three can represent what you can do to manage your anxiety. For example, this card could mean developing a self-care routine.
The fourth card can represent advice from your higher self about your anxiety. This card can represent messages such as, “You’re stronger than you think” or “Everything will be okay.”
Take your time with this spread and really allow the cards to speak to you.
Trust your intuition and go with whatever feels right for you.
Keep a record of your thoughts in a Tarot journal. Your journal can be a great way to explore your anxiety and cope with it.
You might like this: 6 Effortless Tarot Tips to Help You Trust Your Intuition
Final Thoughts
If you’re struggling with anxiety, please know you’re not alone.
Drawing tarot cards can be a powerful tool for understanding the root of your anxieties.
In this post, I’ve shared a simple four-card Tarot spread that can be helpful in exploring your anxiety.
I also offer past life tarot readings as part of my offerings. These insightful readings can help you understand how your past life habits and behavioral patterns are contributing to your current life experience.
If this interests you, learn more about my upcoming August 2022 past life reading workshop by contacting me.
Wishing you peace and love!
Additional Resources
– National Institute of Mental Health
NIMH summarizes anxiety disorders, their treatment, and provides reports and helpful articles.
This site offers tips for managing anxiety and stress.
–Anxiety and Depression Association of America
ADDA provides helpful information on anxiety disorders and their treatment.
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