uNHIdden offers 12 tips for reducing anxiety around whatever is going on in our skies

Reports from around the globe of unidentifiable objects in the sky are causing anxiety for many people.

uNHIdden is a not-for-profit foundation set up to promote better mental health support for witnesses of anomalous phenomena.

uNHidden Board Member and General Practitioner, Dr Daniel Weaver, said:

“With the uncertainty about what these objects may be, it’s easy for people to lose their anchor and become overly preoccupied with questions about what is going on.

“Here are ways people can break that cycle of anxiety. It’s common sense really, but it’s always good to check in and find ideas to help ourselves and others around us.

“Good mental health is everyone’s responsibility.”

*Talk
Don’t keep your worries to yourself. Talking about your feelings with a trusted friend, family member, or health professional may make you feel better.

*Mindfulness
Live in the present, don’t let your mind race ahead, by practising Mindfulness. Concentrating and being fully aware of the present moment helps manage your feelings.

*Change your thinking
Negative thoughts breed negative thoughts. Stop that downward spiral. If you catch yourself looking on the dark side, re-programme that thought and split big worries into smaller parts.

*Box Breathing
Breathing techniques such as Box Breathing calms your mind and reduce the stress hormone cortisol. Take a breath then exhale on the count of 4. Hold your breath for 4 seconds. Inhale to the count of 4. Hold your breath for 4 seconds.

*Anchoring
Anchor yourself to a positive emotion. For example think hard about how good a certain piece of music makes you feel, then when stressed you can go to your “happy place.”

*Good habits
Eat well, get enough sleep and exercise. Communing with nature is soothing.

*Coffee and alcohol
Watch your intake of caffeine which can increase adrenaline and limit alcohol which can make anxiety worse.

*Put that phone down
Avoid doom scrolling – doom scrolling’ – spending too much time reading negative news on social media.

*Goal setting
Set yourself a goal to build stress-busting confidence

*Volunteer
Help a charity or if you are pushed for time buy someone a coffee. Evidence shows those who help others help themselves.

*Soothe yourself
Listen to calming music, have a mug of herbal tea, soak in a relaxing bath, or raise your oxytocin level and stroke a pet or give someone a hug.

*Have fun
Carry on doing things you enjoy.