Anxiety UK recommends the APPLE technique to safeguard mental health

In these difficult times I am pleased to see that both within and outside of my profession mental health is being recognised as one of the very serious effects of COVID 19.  I read an article recently courtesy of Anxiety UK advocating the APPLE technique which I thought that I would share. The technique is to help with any worries that you are dealing with no matter how big or how small:

Acknowledge:     Notice and acknowledge the uncertainty as it comes to mind.

Pause:                   Don’t react as you normally do. Don’t react at all. Pause and breathe instead.

Pull back:            Tell yourself this is just the worry talking, and this apparent need for certainty is not helpful and not necessary. It is only a thought or feeling. Don’t believe everything you think. Thoughts are not statements or facts.

Let go:                 Let go of the thought or feeling. It will pass. You don’t have to respond to them. You might imagine them floating away in a bubble or cloud.

Explore:              Explore the present moment.  Notice your breathing and the sensations of your breathing.  Notice the ground beneath you.  Look around and notice what you see, what you hear, what you can touch, what you can smell, right now. Then shift your focus of attention to something else – on what you need to do, on what you were doing before you noticed the worry, or do something else – mindfully with your full attention

For further advice and support please visit www.anxietyuk.org.uk

Wishing everyone good physical and mental health. #bewell # bekind #rlk