5 Unique Ways to Calm Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions in the world. While it can range in severity and affect people differently, there’s a silver lining to it that’s important to keep in mind — it’s often very manageable.
But, you can only combat anxiety with the right techniques. Trying to beat it on your own can feel like a struggle. So, don’t consider things like “home remedies” to be replacements for professional mental health help. Working with a therapist is often the best way to better understand the root of your anxiety so you can overcome it.
However, being able to manage your symptoms on a daily basis will help to empower you and give you the strength and confidence you need to fight back. If you’re feeling stuck when it comes to calming anxiety on your own, let’s cover five unique things you can start doing right away.
1. Go Outside
If anxiety feels overwhelming at times, don’t confine yourself to a specific space. Instead, step outside and get some fresh air. The change of scenery alone can help to distract your anxious mind.
Beyond that, though, there are plenty of mental health benefits associated with nature. It can reduce stress, calm your anxiety, boost your energy, and improve your overall mental well-being. Even spending just a few minutes outside each day or when you’re feeling especially anxious can make it easier to calm down and find more control.
2. Practice Meditation
Unfortunately, meditation is still often stereotyped today. You might have seen depictions of it in movies or television shows and have assumed it’s not for you.
But, meditation isn’t about specific chants or noises. You don’t need to sit in a certain position or practice any kind of ritual.
Instead, close your eyes, focus on taking slow, deep breaths, and stay centered on the present. If you’re new to meditation, try using a guided meditation app or work along with a video to get started. Meditation can quickly become a wonderful addition to your self-care routine as you fight anxiety.
3. Get Creative
One of the best ways to calm anxiety quickly is to distract yourself from it. Take a break from what you’re doing and engage your mind in something else. Doing something creative can help to pull your attention away from your anxious thoughts. So, try drawing a picture, listening to music, or even dancing around the room. Join an art class once a week to help to distract you and give you something to look forward to.
Distraction from anxiety isn’t a permanent fix, but it can make it easier to get out of your head for a while so you don’t feel so overwhelmed.
4. Break a Sweat
Most people understand the importance of regular exercise for physical health. But, it’s great for your mental well-being, too!
Exercise can quickly help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve your mood, and give you feelings of happiness that last for hours after your workout. You don’t need to run a marathon or go to the gym for an hour each day to experience the mental health benefits of exercise. Find something that works for you, and you’ll be more likely to stick with it.
5. Start Journaling
You don’t have to be a great writer to benefit from journaling. Carrying a small notebook with you can be a more useful tool than you might realize.
Sometimes, all it takes to fight back against anxious thoughts is to get them out in the open. But, whether you don’t have anyone to talk to at any given moment, or you’re not comfortable opening up, getting those thoughts out there isn’t always an option.
Journaling is the next best thing. Not only does it allow you to write down your anxious thoughts to get them out of your mind, but you can use it as a sort of log to see how far you’ve come in your journey with anxiety.
Again, talking to a mental health professional is often the best way to overcome anxiety. But, if you’re trying to fight back against your symptoms each day, try some of these techniques to help you calm down and feel more in control. Reach out to us to learn more about anxiety therapy.