03/23/2020
These are challenging times to say the least. Let's call these Corona-boundaries! Take care of you...
While daily exercise, quality sleep, supplements and good mood foods are essential stress reducers, there are many other effective strategies for treating anxiety, including:
1. Be Grateful- Write down five things you are grateful for every day. Focusing on the things you are thankful for helps to calm the deep limbic or emotional areas of your brain.
2. Take a Time-Out- There are a variety of relaxation methods, including meditating, diaphragmatic breathing and listening to brain-enhancing music. Find a technique that works for you and use it whenever you become stressed.
3. Face Your Fears- Unless the situation is life-threatening, do not leave, run away from, or ignore whatever is causing you to have anxiety. Like standing up to a bully, you must face the fear or concern directly, or it will always have control over you and increase your anxiety.
4. Learn to Let Go- Accept that you can’t control everything. If you’re holding on too tightly, you might be causing yourself unnecessary stress, which will only make your anxiety worse.
5. Repeat a Mantra- Repeating simple words like “May I be safe and secure” can increase positive emotions and decrease negative ones. Research has shown that Loving Kindness Meditations (LKM) can minimize pain, migraine headaches and the symptoms of PTSD.
6. Talk It Out- This is an absolute must. Let friends and family know when you’re emotionally overwhelmed. Seek professional help if necessary, but don’t fight your battles alone.
7. Use a Visual Anchor- Whether it’s looking up at the clouds or staring at a picture of a tropical paradise, find a visual anchor that will calm you down during stressful situations.
8. Exaggerate Your Greatest Fear- Tell your fear to someone in as dramatic fashion as possible. Repeating the story several times will make your fear seem downright silly.
9. Laugh- When all else fails, laugh. Laughing releases stress-reducing endorphins into your bloodstream. Laughter truly is the best medicine and can work wonders in relieving anxiety. (Image credit: )
