What You Can Do About Anxiety. Turn to Relaxation Techniques: Music, Meditation, Exercise, Your Personal Rituals: Learning a few good relaxation techniques will serve you well. For example, simple paced breathing may sound too easy, but its a great way to coax the body into a more relaxed state. Its something you can do at your desk at work, in your car, and before or after an event. Breathe in for four seconds, and then out for six. Count in your head, and focus on your counting and the sensation of your breathing. Repeat as long as it takes to relax a bit. P Dr. DeGroat suggested visualization as a relaxation technique; which he also mentioned as a coping mechanism for stress. Imagine that youre in the most relaxing environment that you can possibly think of, whether its at home in bed or on the beach in the tropics. Wherever you think you would be most relaxed, stop and really put yourself there. If youre at the beach, he explained, ask yourself how warm it is, and whether there are clouds in the sky. Are you alone? Is it quiet, or can you hear the ocean? The goal here isnt just to paint a pretty, relaxing picture in your head, but also to get your brain working on those details—the more you do, the farther away your mind will be from whatevers triggered your anxiety.P You can get a similar benefit from music, exercise, or meditation. Relaxing music can take help take your mind off of your anxiety, or help you refocus after an anxious spell. Exercise is similar, but instead of just taking your mind away, it actually has a neurological benefit (as well as a physiological one). Gil explained that the endorphins released in our brains during exercise make us happier, and the feeling of accomplishment we get from regular activity can help curb anxiety. Meditation—especially guided meditation—can also help, since the entire point is to calm the mind and dismiss the errant thoughts that lead to anxiety and stress. Meditation can help you focus on your surroundings or be mindful of the present, instead of letting the background seep to the fore. P
Posted on: Wed, 20 Nov 2013 17:53:25 +0000
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