When it comes to dealing with anxiety, there is no one-size-fits-all solution so it’s important to find what works best for you. When I first set out on my journey to heal and gain control of my anxiety, it was a lot of trial and error.
I would do my research to see what was proven to work for others and I would pick out the tips that best worked into my lifestyle and gave them a test drive. Some things worked, some things didn’t. But today, I am going to talk about the things that did work and actually continue to work. And the best part is, you likely already have the majority of these things available to you at this very moment.
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Major League Mommy is an informational site and much of the information shared on this site is based on my personal experiences. The resources shared on this site are provided for informational purposes only and are not to be used as a replacement for a trained and professional medical/mental health care professional.
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My Favorite Tools to Deal With Anxiety
Breath
Just slowing my breath and breathing mindfully instantly calms my mind. Sometimes I inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds. Sometimes I do box breathing. Sometimes I do alternate nostril breathing. The main idea here is that I slow down and breathe mindfully.
Music
Soothing music is great when I really just need to wind down. But sometimes I just need a mood boost and in that case, I have to put on some jams that make me want to get up and dance and get that energy moving.
Meditation
I spend just a couple of minutes each morning before I get out of bed focusing on my breath and visualizing the perfect day ahead. I also really enjoy guided meditations but like many of us, I don’t always have the time to stop, drop, and meditate. And it really doesn’t have to be all of that. The breathing exercises above are a form of meditation. Journaling. Reciting affirmations. All of those things can be a form of meditation.
Tea
If you have been following me for some time, you may have noticed that I am a huge fan of tea. I am obsessed with chamomile as it really helps me to relax and get some good sleep. I also really like Yogi Tea’s Sweet Tangerine Positive Energy Tea. These are just a couple of my favorites but I have quite a few that I truly enjoy and use specifically for my anxiety.
Cold Water
You may have heard about or seen others splashing cold water on their face in the middle of a panic attack. And this may seem a bit dramatic but it actually works for me. Even just washing my hands under cold water when I feel myself getting panicky will help me kind of snap out of it so I can regroup. I will also take cold showers to ease my nerves. This isn’t something that’ll necessarily work for everyone so don’t worry if you can’t handle it. Cold showers in particular were very difficult for me to get into at first, and sometimes it still is difficult. You can learn more about using cold water for anxiety here.
Exercise
Similar to my comment about listening to music that makes me dance when I’m feeling a bit stressed or down, exercise is another great way to get that energy moving. It can also help get your mind off of whatever is bothering you. Learn more here.
What are some of your favorite ways to manage anxiety? Please feel free to share in the comments.
