What techniques do you use to reduce anxiety or stress? Are you feeling like you’ve tried a million techniques but are looking for new ideas.
Here is a list of some of my favorite. My hope is that you will see something on here that you find helpful.
Take a time-out. Stepping back from the problem helps clear your head. You can do this by maybe practicing some yoga, listening to music, meditating, or learning some relaxation techniques.
Make sleep a priority. When stressed, your body needs additional sleep and rest. Sleep deprivation is so detrimental to our health that it can actually cause an anxiety disorder.
Do not skip any meals. Focus on eating healthy meals and try keeping energy-boosting snacks on hand.
Limit alcohol and caffeine consumption. Both alcohol and caffeine are known to aggravate anxiety and trigger panic attacks.
Laugh. Watching funny animal videos on YouTube is one of my go-to for this but find what works for you. Laughing fires up and then cools down your stress response, and it can increase and then decrease your heart rate and blood pressure. The result? A good, relaxed feeling.
Write in a journal. Journaling allows for time to learn about our thought processes — seeing it all on paper gives us clarity, insight, and perspective. It also helps us identify our triggers and gives us the chance to challenge our irrational thoughts.
Limit time spent on social media. Overusing social media can intensify anxiety either by what others post or watching your own post likes and comments. A good way to follow through with this option is to set a timer for when and how long you will look at social media and stick with it.
Spend time outdoors. People who spend time outside have lower levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. I find that any time in the outdoors is extremely helpful but my favorite outdoor place is the beach. There is just something about the sound of the waves, the warmth of the sun, and feel of the sand that calms me down.
Talk to someone. Tell friends and family you’re feeling overwhelmed and let them know how they can help you. Talk to a physician or therapist for professional help.
Well there you have it! My list of stress and anxiety reducing techniques. Please let me know in the comments if you found this list helpful. I would also be interested in knowing what your favorite go-to’s are.