Feeling Anxious? Let’s Fix That.

If you are feeling particularly anxious today, here are a few quick tips to help ease your stress and calm your nerves.

Take Three Deep Breaths

Inhale through your nose. Exhale out your mouth.
In through the nose, out through the mouth.
A deep, conscious breath in from your nose. A deep, conscious breath out through your mouth.

This simple exercise can be done at anytime and anywhere. It may seem a little silly, but it is incredibly effective. Deep breathing has been popular for centuries, and in recent years this tried-&-true practice has been scientifically proven to literally calm the area of your brain connected to emotions. This is my go-to solution as soon as I’m feeling anxious, and it always helps.

Soothe Your Soul With A Calming Activity

Meditate.
Take a warm bath.
Tend to your garden.
Do some yoga or pilates.
Go on a walk or a bike ride.
Dive into a great, new book.
Enjoy a pot of caffeine free tea.
Delight in some aromatherapy.
Watch a few episodes of your favorite show.

Hell; if you’ve got the time, why not do all of the above!?! Healthy distractions are good distractions. When you engage in something soothing, your mind and body will naturally calm down because your focus will have shifted from your anxiety to a place of relaxation and enjoyment.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the art of being aware. You can ease your anxiety by taking a few minutes to fully recognize your thoughts, feelings, and physical state when a moment of stress arises. When you are fully conscious of your emotions you can work to control them. Whenever I am overcome by anxiety, I think to myself, “Okay. I am feeling anxious, and that’s okay. But let’s calm down.” I then ask myself, “Why am I feeling this way?” Once I attempt to figure out what’s causing my anxiety, take a few deep breaths, and then slowly shift my focus to something else – I am usually able to curb the negative feelings and fear I am experiencing in that moment. Acknowledging frightening emotions is difficult but one of the best tools to overcoming these scarier feelings that sometimes manifest from within our own psyche.

We, alone, are in charge of how we react to our emotions. Take comfort in knowing that although we cannot control the world around us, we can absolutely control the way we choose to navigate stressful moments. Embrace feelings of calm, learn to ebb and flow with the surrounding tides, maintain compassion toward yourself and others, and strive to always be mindful of each and every moment.

Turn Off The News

The key to feeling better is simple – avoid the things that cause stress. 24/7 news is stressful any day of the week. That’s why, my two cents regarding news media is to absorb it in small batches as opposed to all day and all night long – especially when you’re feeling anxious.

Do Something Kind

Donate to your favorite charity.
Send a thoughtful card to someone you love.
Cook a meal or bake a sweet treat for your family.
Drop off groceries and/or dinner for an elderly loved one.
Spend an hour picking up trash in your neighborhood, local park, or local beach.

Anyway my friends…

Thanks for taking the time to read this post. I truly hope I was able to provide you all with a few tips to help combat your stress if you are at all feeling nervous today, or frankly, any other day in the future.