If you’re finding yourself experiencing a greater degree of anxiety and stress during the Covid-19 Pandemic, you are not alone. Life has been disrupted for everyone during this unprecedented time, and concerns about our health, loved ones, job security, money, the future, etc. etc, can lead to overthinking with possible resultant increased anxiety and stress.

To help you through tough times here is an exercise which you might find will help ease these uncomfortable feelings.

• Sit comfortably, preferably with both feet flat on the floor.
• Rest one hand comfortably in your lap, on a pillow or table, palm upwards.
• With the thumb of your other hand, slowly and gently drawdown from between the middle and ring finger, level to just above the thumb joint, you’ll notice a slight dip when you reach the right place – see diagram 1.
• Rest your thumb on this point while taking some slow, soft, deep breaths – see diagram 2. Close your eyes to increase the relaxation and feel your shoulders get heavy.
• Hold until you feel the anxiety slipping away and repeat the process on the other hand.

This exercise can be useful for all anxious situations such as doctor/dentist visits, interviews, etc.