6 Simple Tips to Reduce Your Anxiety so You Feel More Relaxed

I thought I'd put together a brief list of simple ideas to help you feel more relaxed, especially if you are feeling worried or anxious.  You certainly don't need to do all of these, but if you're feeling run down, try figuring out how to add one or two of these practices into your day.  It just might help you feel better!

1- Develop a list of coping skills (things that help you to feel better when you are feeling nervous or anxious). Add things you have seen others do, or you have done in the past and helped you to feel better. Some ideas include: listening to music, getting some fresh air, and practicing deep breathing. Also, identify things you are doing when you feel anxious that DO NOT help you feel better, and stop doing them!  

2 - Build a positive support system of friends and/or family that you can talk to when you are feeling anxious (or down), when you need a reality check, or need to help remembering your coping skills.  Or, if you need a little more help than friends and family can provide, consider therapy.

3-Get moving! Exercise has numerous benefits, including helping to lift your mood. Exercise serves as an excellent outlet, and a great way to channel your “nervous” energies (if you are feeling a tendency to fidget) into something productive.    Even just taking a short walk at lunchtime can benefit your mental clarity.

4-Journaling offers a chance to do some reflective writing on your triggers to your anxiety and what coping skills are working for you. Journal nightly as a way to process your day, to find anxiety triggers and patterns in your behaviors.  You can add in gratitude journaling as well to help you focus on the positives. 

5-Practice Mindfulness. Anxiety is typically future oriented, and fear based. Practice mindfulness techniques (such as grounding) to train your mind to focus on the here and now rather than your anxiety about the future.   

6-Deep breathing. This is a quick and easy skill you can do anywhere, that requires no equipment or preparation. Take a slow deep breath in (to the count of 5), then hold it for a count of 5, then slowly exhale to the count of 5. Do this 5 times. This breathing can be combined with closing your eyes, focusing on your chest rising and falling, or picturing a place that makes you feel calm and happy. 

If you want to read more about simple techniques to help you feel less anxious, check out this article that elaborates on the above ideas.  What else would you add that helps you relax?

The mental health therapists at our office offer counseling for a variety of issues including trauma using EMDR, depression, anxiety, grief, and couples counseling. We work with teens, adults, and couples. We also offer online counseling services which can be great for people with busy schedules or for people who live in parts of Pennsylvania with limited counseling options. You can check out our website to see the full list of counseling services that we offer. Or, Request An Appointment here.