How do I stop being so anxious?
If you’re reading this chances are, anxiety is a feeling you know all too well. Your heart is racing, your mind feels all over the place, and while you might be getting things done, everything can feel like a daunting chore. Constantly feeling this way can be draining. While anxiety is a common feeling for many people, it doesn’t have to control your life. Here are 5 tips to try reducing anxiety and start feeling more in control and calm.
Deep breathing: when you’re anxious you might notice that your heart is racing. Taking slow, controlled, deep breaths can help slow your heart rate. The goal of deep breathing isn’t necessarily to “get rid” of unease, but it can slow things down enough so you can think more clearly.
Get moving: Anxiety can make it hard to sit still and movement can be a helpful tool in reducing restlessness. Yoga, walks, and more intense cardio workouts are effective ways to move anxious energy around.
Self-care: Practicing self-care can be as simple as engaging in a hobby that you love or taking some much-needed time for yourself. Self-care can sometimes be thought of as something that is expensive or time-consuming, which can make it seem out of reach with how busy you are. Start small (even if it’s a few minutes!) and make it a priority each day.
Talk it out: Talking with a trusted friend, family member or partner is a helpful way to increase feelings of connection and receive validation. Talking through things also offers a different perspective.
Practice the 3 3 3 rule: Take a few moments and notice your environment. What are 3 things you can see? What are 3 things you can hear? What are 3 things you can touch? Applying this skills can help orient you and help ground yourself to your current environment.
By practicing deep breathing, incorporating physical movement, self-care and increasing social support, anxiety can feel manageable. Even with implementing these strategies, you may notice that there’s still an underlying sense of worry or overwhelm. If your worries and stress seem to be hijacking your life, therapy is a supportive environment to talk through and process your emotions. Learn more about what therapy for anxiety entails here.
