10 Ways to Calm Anxiety
Anxiety can be debilitating, plain and simple. Something that really gets me anxious is overthinking about everything. I worry about the possible outcomes of things, and I replay things that didn’t go my way a million times in my head. I pick apart things I’ve said or done, and overthink peoples’ reactions to it. If this is familiar to you, you know how scary and yucky it can feel. Luckily, there are things we can do to help ease this anxious feeling. It all starts with a willingness to change your thoughts and habits, to involve more time for self-care and focusing on the present moment. Calming an anxious mind is no easy task, but with these techniques you can decrease your anxiety in minutes!
1. Journal - Journaling can be a great way to clear your mind and sort through your thoughts/emotions. You can check out these journal prompts for some inspiration!
2. Muscle Relaxation - Progressive muscle relaxation consists of tensing up small muscle groups at a time, then relaxing them. Start by contracting all of the muscles in your feet, then relax. Then contract all of the muscles in your legs, and release. Repeat this over your whole body.
3. Get outside - Taking some time to be in nature when you’re stressed or anxious is a great way to calm down. Breathe in the fresh air and bask in the sunlight for a moment, and you’ll feel better in minutes.
4. Take a nap - Anxiety can be a sign that you need to slow down and take a break. Get some sleep, and enjoy some time doing absolutely nothing!
5. Use essential oils - Essential oils are a great way to regain control of your mood and calm down. My favorite oils for anxiety are lavender oil, geranium, ylang ylang, frankincense, and cedarwood. You can read more about how to use essential oils here.
6. Practice mindfulness - Anxiety tends to be a worry about the future, so focusing on the present moment can help to calm those anxious thoughts. To practice mindfulness, concentrate on what is going on around you. What do you see, hear, and smell? Ground yourself, and notice how your body relaxes.
7. Meditate - Meditation goes along with mindfulness. Concentrating on your breath and how the air feels as it travels through your body can decrease stress and anxiety immensely.
8. Take medication - There, I said it. It’s okay to take medication to deal with anxiety! Medications can be very helpful for some people, so it’s totally worth it to talk to your doctor about your anxiety. It’s just as normal as taking medications for physical ailments!
9. Take a bath or shower - Taking some time for yourself to relax and take care of yourself is so important. Use a bath bomb, or light a candle and play some calming music during your bath or shower for some additional relaxation. Not only will you feel more laid back, but practicing self-care will leave you feeling fresh.
10. Talk to someone - Venting about your thoughts and feelings can help release some tension and clear your mind. Talking to a loved one can help to debunk your negative thoughts, and they usually know how to make us feel better.
Hopefully something on this list is helpful to you! Let me know in the comments what you do to feel better when you’re feeling anxious.
Thanks for reading!
XO,
Lauren