Melissa Tobia Sanchez 8/14/24 Melissa Tobia Sanchez 8/14/24

Coping with Anxiety through Art, Spirituality and Energy Healing: My Journey To Find Peaceful Solutions

Discover how art and energy healing can be powerful tools for managing anxiety and stress. Explore my personal journey as an empath navigating life's challenges, from panic attacks to overwhelming emotions. Learn practical solutions, from creative outlets to spiritual practices, that bring tranquility and balance to daily life. Find peace in the midst of chaos with these effective methods.

This isn't a story about eradicating anxiety and becoming anxiety-free. It's about managing it and finding tools that help along the way—specifically, how art, spirituality and energy healing have guided me to a place of greater tranquility.

I've been creating art since I was a child. Growing up in the 80s, before cell phones and digital entertainment, art was my main form of escape. As someone who felt different and was often bullied, art became more than just a hobby—it was a refuge. Over time, I realized that creating art wasn't just a way to pass the time; it was a way to manage my emotions and find peace.

In my twenties, I began experiencing panic attacks. They would strike randomly, leaving me shaken and unsure of how to cope. But it wasn’t until later in life, particularly during my attempts to get pregnant, that anxiety truly took hold. The fear of loss and the pressure of trying to conceive consumed me, making it impossible to create art. Ironically, the very thing that had once soothed me became inaccessible when I needed it most.

Years later, while commuting daily on crowded trains, my anxiety escalated. I dreaded the journey, often feeling trapped and overwhelmed by the crowds. Even after the pandemic allowed me to work from home, the anxiety lingered from a stressful work environment, manifesting in physical symptoms like severe stomach pain. It was during this time that I discovered energy healing, a practice that, along with art, has become a cornerstone of my coping strategy.

It All Started With Creating An Energy Ball

During a particularly difficult time with stomach pain and severe stress, I came across an ad for a program called Duality by Jeffrey Allen. His free 45-minute webinar about understanding and practicing energy changed my life. Feeling the energy I created with my hands, I felt better. Always interested in spirituality, I took the course, which saved my life. It all started with creating an energy ball and using it on my stomach. Initially, I went through a "growth period," where things got worse before getting better. But it got much better, and I learned to cope.

What is Energy?
Energy is the fundamental force that permeates everything in the universe, including us. It’s not just a physical concept but a vital component of our existence. This energy flows through and around us, influencing our emotions, thoughts, and overall well-being. When we feel stressed or anxious, our energy can become unbalanced or blocked, which is where energy healing practices come into play. By working with this energy, we can restore balance, promote healing, and create a sense of harmony within ourselves and with the world around us.

Practical Solutions and Methods for Managing Anxiety

Create an Outlet: Whether it's art, writing, dancing, gardening, or any other creative activity, find a way to channel your emotions. Creating something allows you to release built-up tension and can be incredibly therapeutic.
Limit Exposure to Stressors: I found that watching or reading the news only added to my anxiety. By cutting out these triggers, I was able to reduce unnecessary stress. Consider eliminating anything that consistently causes you distress, whether it’s media, toxic relationships, or other stress-inducing activities.
Identify and Pursue Joy: Engage in activities that make you happy. The more joy you introduce into your life, the less space there is for stress. For me, creating art is a source of happiness that helps keep anxiety at bay.
Avoid Self-Diagnosis: Resist the urge to search for ailments online. It’s easy to spiral into anxiety when reading about potential health issues. Instead, consult a professional if you have concerns.
Practice Positive Thinking: Incorporate affirmations into your daily routine. Louise Hay’s affirmations have been particularly helpful for me. Simple statements like, “Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better,” or “All is well, I am calm and safe,” can shift your mindset. Bonus: listen to calming music like Solfeggios (free on YouTube) while stating affirmations to yourself can be extremely calming.
Meditation and Breathing Techniques: Meditation has been one of the most effective tools for calming my anxiety. Box breathing—breathing in a pattern of four—is a technique that calms the nervous system. There are countless free resources online to guide you through meditation and calming exercises.
Eliminate Stressors Where Possible: If there are aspects of your life that are causing significant stress and anxiety, consider if you can remove or reduce them. For instance, if a job or relationship is a major source of anxiety, it might be time to make a change.
Energy Healing Techniques: I’ve found practices like EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) tapping, which I learned from Amy B. Scher, to be incredibly helpful. This, along with other methods like Donna Eden’s energy routines, and tracing meridians (like triple warmer) has allowed me to manage my anxiety in a more holistic way.
Use Supplements Wisely: While I’m cautious about medication, I’ve found natural supplements like Ashwagandha, Magnesium, and L-Theanine to be beneficial. Always consult with a healthcare provider before trying new supplements. I currently am taking Olly: Goodbye Stress Softgels. Consult with a doctor before taking any supplements.
Consider Spiritual Practices: As an empath, I’ve discovered the importance of protecting my energy. Calling on a spiritual team—whether it’s angels, guides, or loved ones who have passed on—has become a daily practice for me, even before engaging in art sessions. I even have called in Monet. This helps me access a deeper level of creativity and calm. You can learn more about this from authors Tammy Mastroberte and Oliver Nino (The Spiritual Activator)
Is the anxiety even yours?
  I discovered I was highly sensitive in my 20s when I read the book The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You by Elaine N. Aron. This led me to realize that I am an empath. As an empath, I have the ability to pick up other people's emotions, like fear and anger, without even realizing they aren’t my own. For a long time, I didn’t understand that these feelings weren’t mine. For example, driving makes my husband anxious, and one day I felt his anger, frustration, and nervousness in my body, thinking they were my own emotions. During COVID, when things were really intense, I picked up a lot of fear from others. If you don’t resolve or release these emotions—whether they are yours or someone else's—they can stay in your body and start affecting your health.

Anxiety is still part of my life, especially with the ongoing challenges of balancing work and my personal passions. But by embracing art and energy healing, I've found a way to navigate the turbulence with more grace and resilience. I hope these methods can help you find your own path to tranquility.

Remember, you're not alone in this journey, and there are tools and practices that can bring peace amidst the chaos.