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10 Tips To Reduce Feelings Of Anxiety

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By Jasmine Minor, and Lauren Patrick

There are a variety of different activities that people can engage in to help reduce anxiety. Here are ten that you can give a try!

  1. Yoga and meditation can help you focus on breathing techniques and relieve muscle tension. By emphasizing relaxation, mindfulness, and bodily awareness. 
    1. Yoga Poses for Beginners: https://www.verywellfit.com/essential-yoga-poses-for-beginners-3566747
    2. Beginners Yoga Videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLui6Eyny-UzzWwB4h9y7jAzLbeuCUczAl

  2. Art activities may help others express themselves creatively while also promoting emotional well-being. To decrease anxiety, you can do something as easy as a free sketch or use a coloring book.
    1. 100 Art Therapy Ideas: https://www.alternativetomeds.com/blog/art-therapy-ideas/
    2. Free Downloadable Coloring Pages: https://mondaymandala.com/adult-coloring-pages/
  3. Journaling may be an effective method for expressing and processing emotions. 
    1. Journaling Prompts: https://sageandbloom.co/journal-prompts-for-personal-growth-self-improvement/
    2. How to Approach Journaling: https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/how-to-journal-for-mental-health-and-wellbeing

  4. Breathing and grounding can help your physical sense feel more safe and calm, drawing the focus away from your thoughts and into your body.
    1. Breathing Exercises for Anxiety https://www.verywellmind.com/abdominal-breathing-2584115
    2. 6 Sense Grounding Guide https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30VMIEmA114https://www.verywellmind.com/abdominal-breathing-2584115

  5. Cooking lessons may be an excellent opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills. Focusing on new smells, textures, and tastes might help you center yourself and shift your attention to more positive thoughts. 
    1. Easy Dinner Recipes https://www.loveandlemons.com/easy-dinner-ideas/
    2. Easy To-Go Breakfast Recipes https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/healthy-grab-and-go-breakfast-recipes/

  6. Gardening can be a mindfulness activity by connecting to nature. Begin with tiny potted plants, such as flowers, or growing a vegetable or herb in a garden. 
    1. Guides to Indoor Gardening https://doudapartmenthomes.com/easy-apartment-gardening-guide/ https://www.sustainablejungle.com/apartment-gardening/

  7. Music can help relieve anxiety by offering an outlet for emotions. You can practice this technique by playing an instrument or by listening to music.  
    1. Anxiety Relieving Music Playlist
      1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=awCer6hOFts
      2. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5IePgDLAovor78z8wvhUSW
      3. https://music.apple.com/us/artist/anxiety-relief/796366087

  8. Practicing a body scan is another way to connect to your physical self, giving you the tools needed to undo the natural tension brought on by anxiety in a healthy way.  Letting tension go is relaxing to your body AND mind.
    1. Learn how https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IATiVQ1u58

  9. Reading a book may help you relax, reduce negative thoughts, and view thoughts in new perspectives.
    1. List of Calming Books
      1. https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/calming
      2. https://the-bibliofile.com/books-relaxing-de-stress-unwind/

  10. Temperature plays a part in hormones, moods, circulation, and more. Icing the vagus nerve signals to your body that it is ok to relax.
    1. Learn how https://psychcentral.com/anxiety/vagus-nerve-cooling-anxiety#other-methodshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7QoBABZu8