7 Relaxing and Calming Exercises to Ease Anxiety
If you’re feeling anxious, stressed or overwhelmed, you’re not alone. I used to think I was the only one who experienced depression and anxiety, and yet the more I speak to people, the more I’m realising that so many people do. Some of us are better at coping with these thoughts and feelings than others.
The good new is that there are many things you can do to help yourself cope when crazy and out of control thoughts and feelings come visiting.
A common and natural response to anxiety is to avoid what triggers you, so taking any action might make you feel anxious at first.
It can be difficult, but facing up to how anxiety makes us feel can be the first step in breaking the cycle of fear and overwhelm.
Here are some simple exercises you can try that might calm you down.
Take a break. Take some time away from your normal routines or thoughts. Read a book or magazine, even if it’s only for a few minutes. Run yourself a bath, watch a film, play with your pet.
Focus on your breathing. Learning to breathe more deeply can make you feel a lot calmer and increase your sense of wellbeing. Breathe in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth. Look into breathing exercises.
Listen to your favourite songs. Turn it up and dance or sing along. Put your headphones on and close your eyes. Really listen to the music. Focus on a specific instrument - such as a drum, percussion, bass. Let yourself focus on the music and let other thoughts drift away.
Spend time in nature. Spending time outside in green spaces can be great for your physical and mental wellbeing. Take the time to notice trees, plants, flowers around you.
Active relaxation. Relaxation doesn’t have to be done sitting still. Gentle exercise can help you relax too. Yoga, Pilates or gentle stretching can do wonders for your wellbeing.
Think of somewhere else. Picture yourself somewhere relaxing. It may be a memory of somewhere you’ve been or a place you’ve imagined. Close your eyes and think about the details of this place. What can you see? What colours, shapes, objects can you see? Can you hear any sounds? Is it warm or cool? Let your mind drift and your body relax.
Get creative. Get in touch with your artistic side to help you feel calmer and more relaxed. There are many different ways to be creative - painting, drawing, tracing (for those of us who can’t draw to save ourselves). Try not to worry too much about the finished product and focus on enjoying yourself.
How do you cope when you’re anxious and overwhelmed? Maybe you could make a list of things you’d like to try or activities that you know already work. That way, when you feel an anxious moment coming on, you have a list of coping strategies to help you move through it.
P.s. If you’re looking for some fun and creative ways to practice mindfulness and be in the moment, check out my ETSY shop which has a selection of Mindful Coloring Pages and Mindful Tracing Pages.
