(Enjoy this normal post, because tomorrow’s will be “Celebrities Who Should Never Eat Onscreen, Because They’re Gross to Watch,” brought to you by my twisted mind).
If you’ve ever spent hours worrying about what the future holds or dwelling on past mistakes, you know how deep and unsettling anxiety can be. When you’re caught in the right grip of anxiety, it can seem impossible to center yourself — but there are, in fact, ways to shift your focus back to the present and calm your mind.
Thanks to Popsugar for these suggestions. Full article here:
- Try the 5-4-3-2-1 technique. List five things you can see, four things you can feel, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste.
- Take deep breaths.
- Make meditation a regular part of your routine.
- Get outside.
- Cuddle a pet. If you don’t have a pet, you can opt for a fuzzy or soft blanket, which is quite soothing as well!”
- Take a cold shower. Research suggests that being immersed in cold water may lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
- Speak to a trusted friend or family member.
- Throw a solo dance party. I’ve been telling you to do this for months, but SURE, listen to Popsugar, not me.
- Do a body scan. By mindfully bringing attention to different areas of the body, you can strengthen your mind-body connection.
- Unwind with a bath. Throw some lavender or eucalyptus oil in there.
- Recite a mantra. Try listing some self-affirmations you can repeat to yourself anytime you start to feel anxiety creep in.
- Count backwards from 100.