Anxiety is our body’s natural response to stress. There are some simple things you can do to help manage some of that anxiety and during times of stress. Doing so will help you think clearly and make sure you are able to look after yourself.
Move your body
This is an important part of physical and mental health. It can ease your feelings of anxiety and boost your sense of well-being.
Breathe deep
It sends a message to your brain that you’re ok which helps your mind and body relax. To get the most out of it, lay down on a flat surface and put one hand on your belly and the other on your chest. Take a slow breath in.
Pay attention to the good things
A great way to keep our minds off the worry track is to focus our thoughts on things that are good, beautiful and positive. Take the time and focus on those even for just a moment. We tend to focus on the negative and this is perfectly natural but we can train ourselves to focus on the good things as well.
Talk to someone
Tell friends and family you’re feeling overwhelmed and let them know how they can help you. Talk to a physician or therapist for professional help.
Stand up straight
For an immediate physical antidote to this natural reaction, pull your shoulders back, stand or sit with your feet apart and open your chest. This helps your body start to sense that it’s back in control.
Drink water
You may not realise it, but not drinking enough water can make your anxiety symptoms worse. Dehydration can actually cause heart palpitations. This can lead to feelings of panic, which may trigger an anxiety attack.
Turn off your phone
Don’t be afraid to turn off your phone once in a while. This is especially true today with the influx of false and misleading information. It can be overwhelming to say the least. Use this as a chance to practice some mindfulness techniques or journal.
Have a bath
A hot bath with Epsom salts is great for relaxing your muscles and your mind. Epsom salt helps stabilise mood and relieve stress and anxiety. Epsom salts are high in magnesium which our body can absorb through our skin and have a deeply relaxing effect on our muscles and nervous systems.
Drink less caffeine
For most people some caffeine is not a concern at all and may even be a good thing. But too much, even for people who can tolerate it, will turn things very bad mood-wise. If you are feeling overly anxious, it may be a good idea to reduce coffee and tea as they may be making things worse for now.
Practice yoga
Yoga decreased heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone involved in the fight-or-flight fear response. Having too much cortisol in the bloodstream can exacerbate anxiety.
Practice mindfulness meditation
Mindfulness encourages a person to focus on feelings, thoughts, or bodily sensations that are happening in the present moment. This can help distract people from ruminative thoughts and other negative thought patterns.