Anxiety is something most people will experience at some stage throughout their lives. However, for some, it’s far more regular and becomes a debilitating and dangerous state of mind they feel completely trapped in. Anxiety is a future-oriented state of mind where people get lost in a story they’re telling themselves about a future event. It’s crucial to be able to identify this train of thought and reel yourself back to the present moment. Anxiety affects people differently, meaning there isn’t a cookie-cutter method for eliminating it. However, much research has been done on the topic, and there are various techniques designed to bring you back to earth. We will explore a few of these in this article. We must remind readers that these techniques will feel foreign, to begin with, but they are much like an exercise in the sense that they will get easier through repetition.
Follow the 3-3-3 Rule
One of the most important aspects of dealing with anxiety is having the ability to notice what’s going on and taking steps to calm yourself down. One step we recommend is known as the 3-3-3 rule. Simply, look around you and name three things that you can see. Then, name three sounds you can hear. After that, move three parts of your body in controlled, deliberate movements, e.g Rolling your wrists or ankles in circles. Whenever you feel your mind starting to race, this technique can be very helpful to centre your mind and bring you back to the present moment. This will allow you some reprieve from the exhausting loop of unhelpful thinking.
Ask for a second opinion
Get in touch with someone you trust, ideally in person, but a phone call should still do the trick. Tell them how you’re feeling and run through your worries. In a lot of cases, this will allow you to see your thoughts for what they really are, which, in a lot of cases, helps you realise they’re not at all rational. It also allows your confidante a chance to remind you that you’re loved and supported, and you will not feel this way for long. If you do not wish to share your feelings and thoughts with another person, writing them down on paper can also often provide you a deeper level of understanding.
Steer Clear of Sugar
Often times when we’re feeling down, we reach for some comfort food. However, it’s important to realise eating that chocolate bar can do more harm than good in terms of your anxiety. Sugar simply provides your brain with more energy and has proven to worsen the feelings of anxiousness. You’re better off looking for some complex carbohydrates like whole grains or starchy vegetables to offer slow-burning energy your body can use to recover.
Soak Your Worries Away
Slipping into a warm Spa Pool is always an excellent way to relax and enjoy the present moment. However, the hydrotherapy that comes with a spa pool is also believed to reduce feelings of anxiety. Hydrotherapy works by targeting specific areas of the body known to hold stress and relieving that tension through targeted massage jets. As mentioned above, this release of muscle tension should also start to cross over into alleviating your anxiety. Sitting in the spa pool is also an excellent time to practice some mindfulness. Listen to the soothing sound of the water and focus yourself on controlled breathing. Where does your mind wander to… take stock of all these feelings and worries, notice everything. Remind yourself, you will tend to these later, and then re-focus on your breathing. Soon enough you will find yourself savouring the present moment, and slowly returning to a state of tranquility.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
In the 1920s, a physician by the name of Edmund Jacobsen discovered a relationship between deep muscle relaxation and reducing feelings of anxiety. He worked with the understanding that by consciously trying to reduce the amount of tension we feel in our muscles, we can influence how anxious we feel. The aim of what is now known as ‘Progressive Muscle Relaxation’ (PMR) is to learn how to release tension in our muscles through daily exercise. This is believed to communicate feelings of calm and safety to our body, reducing the need to activate a “fight or flight” response. You can try this method by tensing your bicep as hard as you can and holding that squeeze for between 5 and 7 seconds. After letting go, completely relax your arm, let it fall to your side, and feel the difference between the tension you just experienced and the relaxation now taking over your arm. You may even notice a warm sensation of blood flowing into the area. Jacobsen’s studies have suggested that doing this with each group of muscles in the body, as a regularly practiced exercise will take effect over time.
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