How To Calm Anxiety

A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. All of us will at some point deal with some form of anxiety. If in fact you are stricken with it, one of the keys is knowing how to manage it. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Calm Anxiety.

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For people struggling with an anxiety disorder, it’s important to look into methods that can be used to help manage or reduce anxiety in the long term for better health, such as talk therapy or medication. Anxiety disorder or just worry, everyone can benefit from other methods of reducing stress and anxiety with lifestyle changes such as eating a well-balanced diet, limiting alcohol and caffeine, and taking time for yourself.

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As well as these changes, there are steps you can take as soon as anxiety starts to take hold. Try these suggestions to relax your mind quickly and help you regain control of your thoughts.

Stay in your time zone

Anxiety is often worrying about the future. So instead of worrying about what’s going to happen, bring yourself back to the present. Ask yourself some simple questions; What’s happening right now? Am I safe? Is there something I need to do right now? If there’s not, block out some time to check in with yourself later in the day to come back to your worries so those distant scenarios don’t throw you off track, she says.

Relabel what’s happening

Panic attacks can make you feel like you’re having a heart attack. Remind yourself of what is actually happening, with phrases like, “I’m having a panic attack, but it’s harmless, it’s temporary, and there’s nothing I need to do”. Keep in mind that a panic attack is in fact the opposite of a sign of impending death. What’s happening is that your body is activating its fight-or-flight response, a system that is designed to keep you alive. CBD edibles could help you to lower your panic levels after a panic attack.

Fact-check your thoughts

People with anxiety often get stuck thinking about worst-case scenarios. To battle these worries, think about how realistic your worries are. For example, maybe you’re nervous about a presentation at work. Rather than tell yourself it will be a disaster, tell yourself that you’re nervous, but prepared. Getting into a pattern of rethinking your worries can help train your brain to think about rational ways to deal with your anxious concerns.

Breathe in and out

Deep breathing helps you to feel calm. You might know about specific breathing exercises, but you don’t need to worry about counting out a certain number of breaths in the midst of a panic. Instead, just concentrate on even breathing. This will help you to slow down and quiet your mind.

Follow the 3-3-3 rule

Name three things you can see around you. Next, name three sounds you can hear. Lastly, move three parts of your body, such as your ankle, fingers, or arm. Whenever you feel your brain running away with you, this clever trick can help to focus your mind, bringing you back from an anxious place.

Just do something

Take any action that will break your anxious train of thought, and do something else. Take a walk, make a cup of coffee, or tidy something.

Author: anwaryusef

Anwar Y. Dunbar is a Regulatory Scientist. Being a naturally curious person, he is also a student of all things. He earned his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Michigan and his Bachelor’s Degree in General Biology from Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU). Prior to starting the Big Words Blog Site, Anwar published and contributed to numerous research articles in competitive scientific journals reporting on his research from graduate school and postdoctoral years. After falling in love with writing, he contributed to the now defunct Examiner.com, and the Edvocate where he regularly wrote about: Education-related stories/topics, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Financial Literacy; as well as conducted interviews with notable individuals such as actor and author Hill Harper. Having many influences, one of his most notable heroes is author, intellectual and speaker, Malcolm Gladwell, author of books including Outliers and David and Goliath. Anwar has his hands in many, many activities. In addition to writing, Anwar actively mentors youth, works to spread awareness of STEM careers, serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the David M. Brown Arlington Planetarium, serves as Treasurer for the JCSU Washington, DC Alumni Chapter, and is active in the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Ministry at the Alfred Street Baptist Church. He also tutors in the subjects of biology, chemistry and physics. Along with his multi-talented older brother Amahl Dunbar (designer of the Big Words logos, inventor and a plethora of other things), Anwar is a “Fanboy” and really enjoys Science-Fiction and Superhero movies including but not restricted to Captain America Civil War, Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Prometheus. He is a proud native of Buffalo, NY.

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