Life can be full of stressors – work, family life, current events, health, or others – that create unwanted anxieties and recurring negative thoughts. Here are a few ways that may help reduce and/or cope with anxiety!
Meditation Apps
There are many meditation apps out there. Some require a subscription, but there are also free ones. The best part is you can access an app from anywhere to do a quick meditation exercise, which can encourage your mind to calm itself and keep you from spiraling. A meditation app can also assist in both falling asleep and achieving better sleep, which will help you think more clearly.
Journaling
Sometimes, writing down your concerns can help you release them. Seeing anxieties on paper can soothe your thoughts and put them into perspective. Journaling can also reduce your stress levels and help you better understand your fears. It can assist in finding out where your anxieties stem from and increase your resilience.
Exercising
For some of us, exercise can seem like a chore, but once you get into a routine, you won’t regret it. Exercising is a wonderful tool when trying to overcome anxiety and ruminating thoughts. Your endorphins will get a boost, and you will feel more fit. When you have exercise-induced euphoria, you positively change the way numerous hormones respond to stress. Exercise also has shown to have beneficial long-term psychological changes, but they won’t happen overnight; you will need to be consistent in your efforts.
Talking It Out
You don’t have to be alone in your pain. Talking – and even crying – to a trustworthy friend or family member can be a cathartic experience and give you some much-needed perspective. Having a support system will allow you to see that you have people on whom you can rely. Be sure to establish what you need from them. You may just need a shoulder to lean on, or you can actively seek their advice.
Be Kind to Yourself
Taking care of yourself should not be put on the back burner. And while the above tips are great coping mechanisms, sometimes speaking to a mental health professional is the best way to deal with anxiety. Ultimately, you need to make sure to be kind to yourself and be okay with asking for help when you need it.
Let us know if you have tried any of these tips and how they’ve worked for you. Or, tell us about any other effective tools you use for coping with anxiety.