Almost anything can trigger anxiety, from a passing thought to present danger. All of us have experienced some level of anxiety during our lives, but for some people, chronic anxiety is a largely debilitating condition they battle daily. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to reduce anxiety in your daily life.
While it is always helpful to visit a registered psychologist in Calgary, there are many techniques that you can implement on your own at home. In this blog post, our Prevail Psychology team offers tips on reducing stress and anxiety in your everyday life.
1. Observe Your Thought Patterns
When you catch yourself in that seemingly endless cycle of “what-if” questions, hit the pause button. The same thing goes for any fearful thoughts about the future. Our brains are built to analyze and protect us from threats to our well-being, whether real or imagined. If you fret about a potential future threat, try observing your thoughts and moving on from them without getting stuck in the cycle.
2. Recognize Anxiety for What it Is
If you have ever had psychologist counselling near you, your psychologist may have reminded you of what anxiety truly is. At its core, anxiety is a bodily and emotional reaction to your imagined version of the future. Once you can recognize that the danger is largely imagined, you can call out your anxiety. Accept your feelings as uncomfortable but as your body’s natural response to perceived danger. Learning what anxiety truly is, and recognizing it like that, will help your mind to rationalize and accept rather than try to deny and panic.
3. Breathe, Breathe, Breathe
If you have ever gone to a yoga class or tried meditation, you’ve likely been told to focus on breathing. This practice, called conscious breathing by psychologists in Calgary, relies on paying attention to your breath entering and leaving your lungs. Doing this lowers your diaphragm, calms your heart rate, and enriches your blood flow. This technique triggers your body’s relaxation response, calming down and alleviating feelings of stress.
4. Get Moving
It is understood by many professionals that moving and staying active works to lower stress-related hormones and releases calming and mood-boosting chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin. Whether you prefer yoga, long walks, running, or weight-lifting, move your body daily.
5. Be Gentle with Yourself
When you are anxious, it is very important to be kind to yourself. This means doing things to help you feel good, such as taking more walks, listening to uplifting music, or generally taking time to put yourself first. This includes working to replace negative thoughts with positive and joyful ones consciously.
Visit Prevail Psychology
Hopefully, the tips in this article will help you manage your anxiety better. It can be challenging to navigate anxious thoughts on your own, and if you are still struggling, please don’t feel ashamed about reaching out to our team at Prevail Psychology. We offer psychologist counselling in Calgary to help individuals struggling with mental health get on top of their anxious thoughts and regain control of their lives. Please do not hesitate to contact us and book your appointment today.