Dealing with anxiety and stress can be tough, especially, if you do not have the proper tools. You should read this article and continue to do even more research about stress management techniques. This way, you can get a better idea of the kind of things that you can do to avoid a panic attack or reduce stress.
When anxiety is getting the better of you, get some exercise. Exercise boosts levels of brain chemicals like serotonin, and dopamine, which help you feel happier and more relaxed. Physical activity can also be a great stress-reliever, and reducing your stress can certainly have positive impacts on your anxiety levels.
Find a visual or aural anchor that makes you feel calm or relaxed. Try to choose something abundant and ever-present, such as clouds or water. When you feel anxious, look to the sky or play a soothing track of flowing water on an mp3 player. These anchors can give you a focal point when you feel anxious and head off a full-blown panic attack.
Breathe easy. When you start to feel anxious, try to concentrate on breathing correctly. Inhale through your nostrils for about two seconds, and then exhale through parted lips for four seconds. Continue this routine for a full minute. Once your breathing gets back to normal, follow it up with a couple of minutes of soothing, positive self-talk.
If you begin to feel an anxiety attack coming on while you are driving, pull over and stop your car, as soon as possible. Take some deep breaths, close your eyes, and wait for it to pass. Anxiety attacks are common when you are at the wheel and have been known to cause accidents.
Focus your attention on the place where the anxiety is stemming from. You may feel this physically, and concentrating on it can reduce or eliminate it completely. If your attention starts to stray, just refocus yourself back to the place that is causing you anxiety for several minutes.
Although it seems like a simple thing, enjoying a hearty laugh can go a long way in relieving anxious feelings. Find a funny movie to watch, call a friend who can make you laugh or read a funny book that will make you laugh for some free therapy.
A trusting friend is a valuable benefit. Consider this individual as a “sounding board”, someone with whom you can talk over your anxiety issues. Having a reliable person to talk to can make all the difference – do not keep your feelings bottled up. Keeping your feelings to yourself always makes things much worse.
Come up with daily objectives. This goal can help keep you focused throughout the day and to remain up beat. This ensures that you won’t think about your anxiety.
Try creating your own anxious worrying period. Choose a single or two 10 minute spots each day where you can worry and just feel anxious. During this worry period, try focusing only on the anxious, negative thoughts without trying to correct them. The rest of the day should remain anxiety-free.
Small, goofy things are a great way to distract yourself from negative thoughts. Distraction is a great way of dealing with anxiety. Do whatever you can, given where you are.
What does it take to eliminate anxiety from your life? When you are able to tap into your sense of humor, you help reduce your anxiety. Stay conscious of the good things in your life. In the midst of an anxiety attack, think about something funny that will give you a good laugh.
When you are starting to let anxiety get on top of you, use visual anchors. This means when you are feeling anxiety creep in to your thoughts look up to the clouds, or try to find some water to look at to calm you down. You could even use a stress ball.
Find a support group for people who are also dealing with anxiety. People who struggle with anxiety are often misunderstood. Speaking with people who understand your problems can help you. You can share what works for you and what does not, and you’ll receive much needed support.
Spend as much time as possible enjoying friends and family. Laughter has been called “the best medicine”, and there is lots of truth to that. Plan an evening or an outing with those you love at least once a week, and you will have something to look forward to the rest of the time.
Regulate your sleep schedule. Are you getting enough sleep? Too much? Many people don’t realize the importance of sleep to the way that they function. Sleep is your body’s chance to recharge, energize and deal with your emotions. If you’re getting too much sleep, set an alarm and make yourself get out of bed. If you are not getting enough sleep, try talking to your doctor about options for sleep medication.
Social anxiety can be hard to overcome. One way to make it less painful is to begin with your hobbies. Figure out what you like to do and find others that like to do it, too. If you like to hike you can join a rock climbing or hiking group. If you knit a lot, there are plenty of other knitters out there! All you have to do is to look for them.
If you enjoy animals and live in a place where you can have a pet, then get a dog or a cat. A daily walk, enjoying nature with your dog is very relaxing and the exercise will do you good. Also, nothing is more calming than hearing your cat purr with contentment, while enjoying your company.
As you can see, there are many different ways to manage your stress. Do not expect results right away because it might take time until you are able to focus on your relaxation exercises and truly control your anxiety. You will have to work hard toward this goal, but the result is worth it.