Stress, anxiety and emotional upset are like speed bumps on the road of your life. They can cause significant damage if you don’t keep them under control. Managing daily stresses involves taking charge. In order to learn how to control anxiety and other types of mental distress, you need to act rather than react. There are numerous actions you can take to minimize your anxieties.
Get Physical in Emotional Chaos
Whenever you feel upset, worried or anxious, your entire body suffers. This is due to the strong link between body and mind. Because there is such a connection, physical activity can calm your nerves. Regular exercise releases chemicals that enhance mood. Nearly any type of gentle activity will rejuvenate your mind, but it’s best to choose pursuits that you’ll enjoy.
You don’t have to run five miles or spend hours in a gym to take a break from the demons in your head. Just getting your body moving is a distraction from your reflection. Something as simple as running errands or taking a walk through the park will shift your focus. Even a short yoga session can soothe your nerves and refresh your mind as well as your body.
Put the Negatives in a Timeout
Anxieties and mental stresses wreak havoc on the psyche, but they can be suppressed long enough for you to put things into perspective. One of the best ways to do so is through meditation. This may involve sitting in silence and creating a blackness in your mind, using visualization techniques, repeating self-supportive mantras or focusing your concentration on an object such as a candle flame.
You can send your negative thoughts to the timeout chair in other ways as well. Connecting with the people you love, listening to relaxing music or reading your favorite book may give you the brief break you need. Concentrating on the moment rather than the what-ifs is also helpful. Instead of panicking over the pressure of the days to come, work on only getting through the next minute.
Practice Instant Gratification
Psychological turmoil is the body’s way of throwing a tantrum, and putting an end to the fit often requires immediate action. Deep breathing is an effective way to relax the muscles and nerves, and it triggers an instant positive reaction. You can also use your senses to prompt quick relief from anxiety. This may entail gazing at the clouds, lighting incense or draping a soft blanket around your body.
No matter how you choose to calm yourself during moments of distress, you should know when to seek specialized help. If your symptoms worsen or don’t subside, it may be time to get medical attention. You can visit our homepage or contact us directly to learn how to control anxiety with or without professional assistance.