Is there any surprise that rates of anxiety and stress are on the rise at the moment? We are living through a global pandemic that threatens virtually every aspect of our existence. That seems like pretty good grounds for anxiety to breed! Indeed, wouldn’t it be even stranger if we weren’t anxious about the coronavirus? Yet, of course, anxiety is not fun. It doesn’t allow us to live at our highest level, and we don’t want to live with anxious minds and bodies. Fortunately, there are effective tips to reduce anxiety.
Let’s take a look at some of the most effective ones below.
4 reducing anxiety tips:
1. Slow down and breathe
When you’re experiencing anxiety, it can feel like you’re on a treadmill that won’t stop. You just keep going, and things quickly begin to feel a little out of control.
Slowing down and meditating is a great way to pause the treadmill for a little while. Just by focusing on your breath, you can bring yourself back to the here and now. It’ll put a gap between yourself and your thoughts and feelings.
Researchers have found that meditation and mindfulness can have a game-changing impact on our anxiety levels. That’s a good reason to give it a try!
2. What’s in your body?
Sometimes, the cause of your anxiety is external factors. Other times, it’s what’s in your body that triggers anxiety, so the tip to reduce it is to change what you consume.
For example, coffee can cause a spike in heart rate, which can feel like anxiety. Cigarettes have the same effect, and alcohol, too, especially the day after you’ve been drinking.
So, replace them with anxiety-busting things instead! Dark chocolate, organic CBD, brazil nuts, and fatty fish have all been shown to have a positive impact on anxiety levels. Could you make them part of your routine?
3. Into nature: More tips to calm anxiety
If your mind is overstimulated, then yes, it’ll be much more likely that you feel anxious and stressed. Your mind just can’t relax! It all goes back to our hunter-gatherer days when a loud noise would be a legitimate warning that we need to be alert.
Our way of life has progressed since then, but our evolutionary habits have not. If you live in a city, then you’ll always be subject to loud noises.
So, why not leave the city for a few hours to spend some time in nature? Studies have shown that it can be exceptionally helpful in reducing anxiety and depression levels.
The more time you spend there, the most effective it is. Give it a try!
4. Laughing with friends
Finally, don’t forget an old tried and tested tip to calm anxiety: laugh it off! Worries and stress have understandably risen in the past year with COVID-19.
We’ve had fewer opportunities to laugh and enjoy good times with friends and family. The worries about health and safety are front and center, which makes sense.
But, it’s important to find reasons to smile. Rather than digging yourself into a negative state of mind, call up one of your friends and have a chat. You’re sure to feel better once you hang up, and all you did was talk with a friend for a little while.
What are some other effective tips to reduce anxiety? Share below what works well for you ❤
Now finding the time to read this article that I saved months ago!!! And it really uplifted me as I read now for I do battle with anxiety due to having PCOS. So thanks a lot for the tips I already do practice as regular as possible alongside much prayer and reading of the scriptures! Blessings and great grace to you! <3 Thanks a lot for sharing :)
It’s beautiful that you find your faith to be helpful. Wishing you so much love and light, Tammy!
My favourite go to is to clean the kitchen and listen to a podcast. I find that if I keep both my hands and my head busy it greatly reduces my anxiety! These are all great tips though.
That sounds like a great combo. Thanks for sharing what works for you! Apologies for only seeing the comment now.
One of my favorite sayings is slow is smooth and smooth is fast! For example, I hate folding laundry because it raises my anxiety. Before I would just procrastinate but then I would feel disorganized and ashamed of my messiness. Now I tell myself to slow down. I fold each piece of laundry slowly and neatly. Next thing you know it is all done. No shame, no guilt, no procrastination, and no anxiety about laundry anymore ! Slow is smooth and smooth is fast. Thanks for the great article Christy!
I love what you wrote here! And wonderful that you overcame the challenge of folding laundry. I hope you are having a good start to the week x
Really great tips for anxiety and I can never read enough of them! It’s so interesting hearing what works for people. Personally when I’m anxious I have to psychically keep busy, so cleaning is often my go to. I’ll also stick in my earphones and listen to some music whilst blasting the vacuum around!
That’s great that you’ve found your outlet when you feel anxious to help ease things. Plus, your house will look amazing after!
Christy- you’re so right. It makes it worth it that bit more 😌
♥♥♥♥
Thank you for the great tips, Christy! Very appreciated. Michael
I appreciate YOU
Thank you for your everlasting great kindness, Christy! Enjoy a wonderful day, and a beautiful rest of this week! Michael
Your kindness is never lost on me, Micheal
:-)
Some great tips Christy. And guess what my favourite chocolate is!
Bring on the dark chocolate! It’s snack time 😉
Yeah! Love it. <3
💗
Put on a soothing sound on YouTube. I like the rain drops one. Close your eyes and meditate. Use to do this with my prek classroom for 5-10 mins
Wonderful idea!
I never knew that about dark chocolate! Getting out in nature always helps relax and calm me. Great tips!
Cheers to dark chocolate!
All the more reason to eat dark chocolate! I listen to music without words (film scores and such) and sometimes CDs with nature sounds.
Listening to film scores is a great idea!
Hi Christy! These are some really good tips! Thank you 🥰
Hi Samantha, I hope your day is off to a good start. Thanks for the nice feedback 😊
Today’s been pretty good! Thanks 😊! Hope all is well on your end! And you are very very welcome, love!
Great to hear it! Thanks, doing well here too ♥