13 DIFFERENT WAYS TO REDUCE ANXIETY & STRESS

These days everyone I talk to seems to be feeling some level of stress and anxiety, whether it be because of the pandemic, our current political climate, financial or work stress and/or relationship issues.

Here are some ways that you can help yourself and reduce the stress and anxiety you are feeling.

1 - Breathe. An immediate relaxation technique is to take several deep breathes, in through your nose, hold to the count of 5 and then breathe out, through your mouth slowly.  Do this several times in a row and feel better instantly.

2 - Take a walk in nature.  Get into nature and into sync with the earth's rhythms.  A walk can help calm your nerves and give you a much needed break.  It can give you some time to reflect on what's most important to you and help you let go of some things that may be eating away at your precious energy.

3 - Exercise.  Just 20 minutes a day, 3 days a week has proven health benefits.  This is a great way to vent off frustrations and stressors from the day.  

4 - Dance.  Dancing is a great way to exercise and increase happy chemicals in your brain. According to researchers at the University of California Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, Berkeley, CA, dancing is fantastic for both your body and your mind because it causes the release of the very chemicals that are good for your brain: dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins.

5 - Bath.  Take some time out and have a relaxing bath with epsom salts. Epsom salt is also known as magnesium sulfate. It's a chemical compound made up of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen.  It helps draw out toxins and soothe your body and mind.   Light a candle and put on some relaxing meditation or classical music. 

6 - Tea.  Have a cup of chamomile or Tension Tamer tea.  The herbs are specific to supporting your nervous system and calming them,

7 - Journal or Write a Letter.  Sometimes it helps if you can pin point exactly what is stressing you out and to get out on paper how you are feeling about this issue.  This can be a private writing that you keep to yourself, or maybe its a letter that you need to address to a particular person.  Many times a letter can be written and never sent, and the benefits of clearing your mind are the same.

8 - Treat Yourself.  Maybe its your favorite dinner or a movie.  Take some time out from your routine and really treat yourself to a great meal that you love or watch a movie with your family.  Comdies are always good for a few laughs and laughter is really and truely the best medicine.

9 - Take a Break.  Maybe you have been working a lot and giving a lot of yourself to family and friends.  Taking a break and getting away for a day trip may be just what you need to reduce your stress and put some perspective on your daily routine.  

​9 - Gratitude - Make a list of all the things you are grateful for is one of the easiest ways to shift your attitude and help you get to a better mind set. It can be simple things, such as being grateful for a hot shower, food in your cabinets, your family or a particular friend.   Take it one step further and do something to show someone special in your life how grateful you are for them.  This is by far a simple and effective tool to shift your thinking and reduce your anxiety.

10 - Take Action.  Maybe your stress and anxiety is related to feeling overwhelmed by all the responsibilities you have.  Sometimes it helps to write down a list of all the things you need to do and prioritize them.  Knocking a few things off the list can give you a sense of accomplishment and reduce your anxiety around all the stuff you have to do.

11 - Be in the Moment.  It helps to stay present and be in the moment.  There is nothing but the moment you are in.  The past is gone and the future is not here yet.  When the future does get here, it will be the now.  Being in the now frees your mind from worrying about things you can't change that happened in the past and if you are concerned about an upcoming event in your life, it will keep your thoughts from running a muck.  Usually the worse things that happen to us happen in our minds and not in real life.  

12 - Meditation / Yoga - Meditation is quiet time for your mind.  Many people say that they can't meditate or don't know how.  Start by setting a timer for just 3 minutes, sit quietly with yourself and breathe, feel your breath and let go of everything around you.  As thoughts come into your mind, just let them go and refocus on breathing slowly. Try 3 minutes a day for a week, then increase the time to 5 minutes the next week, and then 10 minutes the next.  ]You might be surprised how quickly the time passes and how much benefit you receive from just being still.  

13 - Pray.  Praying and releasing your stress and anxiety over to God or Divine Spirit can be extremely beneficial.  Giving stressors over to Divine Spirit who will take care of you can be a  tremendous comfort.  Divine Spirit is always available to assist you.  All you have to do is ask.  A stress and anxiety reducing prayer might be:  "Dear Divine Spirit, I come to you stressed and anxious and ask you to take this feeling away from me.  Please help me to feel calm and serene in this moment.  Replace my feelings to ones of peace and tranquility.  Thank you for assisting me now and forever, Divine Spirit.  Amen."

I hope you find some or all of these stress and anxiety reducing methods helpful.  If you feel like you need further assistance, I offer one on one donation based spiritual counseling and am available by appointment to counsel via phone or Google Duo.  Drop me an email:
[email protected]