There is a nature trail by my home called the Trolley Trail. It is a beautiful trail that many of our townspeople enjoy. I also use the Trolley Trail but for me it is far more than a pleasant stroll - it is my secret escape from the sometimes painful world - my train to Hogwarts, my wardrobe to Narnia...
Living with anxiety and an overactive sensory system can sometimes feel like a curse. I am regularly anxious and in addition it sometimes feels like everything is too loud, too bright, too...EVERYTHING.
When I get overwhelmed or I just need a break from the world - I enter my secret magical portal - the start of the Trolley Trail and before I know it- I am enveloped in beautiful, tranquil nature and all those overactive senses which usually are honed in on amplifying my anxiety become focused on experiencing all the cool natural doings on the Trail.
My hearing which is usually diligently scanning to see who may be talking about me now focuses on all the small animals rustling about in the leaves on either side of the Trail and the calls of the many birds who make this place their home. My focus shifts from diligently looking for danger to the small frog who has decided to take a break in the middle of the trail. Instead of scanning for mistakes in my work - I am scanning the open areas of the trail looking for the deer family that regularly will stop and snack on grass in the open patches of land along the trail. All of my usual sensory overload becomes tuned into the sights and sounds of trail - sights and sounds that may not be perceived by the person without an highly developed sensory system and for a short while my overactive system feels like a gift instead of a curse.
And so I would say to anyone out there grappling with anxiety or an oversensitive sensory system- go find your own natural escape. It can be a nature trail, a lake or beach or even your own driveway. Take a minute to inhale the fresh air and feel the warm sun on your face and get in touch with all of the natural beauty that is literally outside your front door. The inner peace that you gain from using nature as your escape can be just a life changing as a magical school or enchanted wardrobe...
#Anxiety #OCD #empath #Anxiety coping techniques