Here are some tips to help you feel better if you feel anxious:
Anxiety is something that most people go through and this pandemic has made people more anxious and worried. Anxiety is a normal human experience that anyone can feel. While it’s normal to get nervous about an important event or life change, some people live with an anxiety disorder, which is more than the occasional worry or fear. No matter for what reason you feel anxious it is important to calm your mind and body to reduce the intensity and duration of these feelings. So here are some ways to help you feel better if you feel anxious:
- Interrupt your thoughts
When negative thoughts or excessive worries hit your mind, it feels like there is no way to stop them. But you can try to interrupt these thoughts by doing something else. While it might not work every time, it will help you relax for a few minutes. You can try deep breathing, move your body, call someone, do the counting, do something like painting or drawing, or engage in an activity that brings you joy.
- Follow the 3-3-3 rule.
Experts suggest following the 3-3-3 rule. Look around you and name three things you see. Then, name three sounds you hear. Then move three parts of your body- your ankle, fingers, or arm. Whenever you feel your brain is working too much, this mental trick can help center your mind.
- Deep breathing
Deep breathing will surely calm you down. Focus on evenly inhaling and exhaling. This will help your mind to re-center and slow down.
- Exercise
There are two ways in which exercise may calm anxiety. Firstly, it decreases levels of stress hormones within the body. Secondly, it makes you focus on the exercise, and this can be a distraction from the cause of anxiety. Whenever you feel anxious, get up and do some exercise.
- Avoid sugar
Chocolate treats sound very tempting when you are stressed, but it can do more harm than good. Eating too much sugar can worsen your anxious feelings. Instead, drink a glass of water or eat something healthy. This will give your body energy to recover.
- Listen to music
I practice this myself. Whenever I feel anxious, I listen to some joyful songs. Music may activate reward systems in the brain that increase feelings of pleasure and ease stress and anxiety.
Feeling anxious all the time can be a sign of a mental health issue like depression. If your anxiety becomes excessive and it’s difficult to manage, then you must visit consult a therapist.
