Today, we’re focusing on anxiety—a common human experience that many of us can relate to. Let’s dive into the psychology behind anxiety and explore a few tips on how to reduce it.
Anxiety is a natural response to perceived threats or stressors in our lives (think of it as an alarm system). It manifests as a feeling of worry, uneasiness, or fear in which we may feel a loss of control. While it is a natural and adaptive emotion, over time anxiety can feel like it is the driver’s seat.
Here are a few tips to help reduce anxiety and nurture a calm mind:
Practice Mindfulness: Engaging in mindfulness exercises, such as deep breathing or guided meditation, can help bring your attention to the present moment. (When we feel anxious, you may notice a focus on the past or future events).
Embrace Self-Care: Prioritize self-care activities that nourish your mind, body, and spirit. Whether it’s going for a walk, lighting your favourite candle, spending time with your favourite furry friend, listening to music, or leaning into your creative side.
Connect with Others: When we feel anxious, we may try to avoid, or distract ourselves, reaching out can be a safe way to gently confront those fears. Reach out to trusted friends, family, or support networks. Sharing your feelings and experiences can provide a sense of support and belonging, easing feelings of anxiety.
Challenge Unhelpful Thoughts: Notice and challenge unhelpful or anxious thoughts by replacing them with more balanced and realistic perspectives. Begin by practicing your breathing, or mindfulness and then remind yourself of ways that you have met and overcome challenges in the past. Remind yourself of your current level of preparation and your level of responsibility in the upcoming situation. This can help to reduce anxiety as we slow down, reminding the alarm bell that this is a challenge not a threat and something we can face even if it is hard.
Engage in Physical Activity: Regular exercise has been shown to reduce anxiety and boost mood. Find activities that you enjoy, whether it’s dancing, walking, yoga, or any other form of movement that brings you joy. We can check in with our energy levels to help set out what we want to do that day (I had a hard time focussing today, and I’m feeling tired, and my energy is allowing me to do 10 jumping jacks in my room today).
Remember, you are not alone on this journey.
If you feel that anxiety is significantly impacting your life, don’t hesitate to seek support from our team of qualified mental health professionals. We are here to help you rebuild agency in your life and help you navigate your path toward well-being.
