How to Stop Anxious: Simple Strategies for a Calmer Mind

Anxiety impacts millions of people around the globe. Though some people don’t experience it as severely as others, the worries and “what ifs” of life can leave you feeling constantly on edge.

It doesn’t take much for anxiety to wreak havoc on your quality of life. It can make you feel irritable, cause you to withdraw from others, give up the things you love, and even affect you physically.

Thankfully, there are things you can do to quiet those thoughts and stop anxiety in its tracks. Let’s cover some effective, simple strategies for a calmer mind.

Cultivate Mindfulness

Mindfulness is much more than just a popular buzzword. It’s an extremely effective practice that has been used for years to help calm the mind, reduce stress, and keep you grounded in the present.

Practicing mindfulness can take some time to feel comfortable with. Focus on deep breathing and lean into your surroundings. What can you hear? What can you smell? Thoughts will continue to try to creep in, but let them pass you by like clouds you can’t grab onto. When anxious thoughts try to drag you away from the present, mindfulness helps to not only keep you there, but can make those “what ifs” feel less overwhelming.

Stay Active

You undoubtedly know the benefits of exercise for your physical health. However, regular physical activity is great for your mental wellness, too.

Daily exercise can boost your energy, improve your mood, reduce stress, and actually increase the hormones in your brain responsible for making you feel happy. You’ll feel the mental effects of exercise long after your workout is over.

You don’t have to run a marathon each day or even go to the gym to boost your mental health with physical activity. Choose something you enjoy, and you’ll be more likely to stick with it.

Step Outside

Spending time in the great outdoors is one of the best natural ways to calm your mind. Multiple studies have shown the mental health benefits of nature. Like exercise, it helps to reduce stress and boost your mood.

Again, find activities you enjoy doing outside, and you will do them more frequently. Consider things like camping, hiking, or even fishing to immerse yourself in the world around you. Spending just a few minutes outside each day can make a big difference in your mental health.

Talk to Your Support System

One of the worst things you can do when you’re dealing with anxiety is to keep your feelings to yourself. If you try to push them down, they’re likely to eventually “explode” on their own.

Open up to the people you trust. Talk to friends and family about your feelings, even when you’re struggling. Sometimes, simply speaking about your anxious thoughts can cause them to feel less overwhelming.

If you’re not ready to open up to others, keep a journal with you. Whenever an anxious thought crosses your mind, write it down. Journaling is a great way to express yourself, and it serves as a log of how far you’ve come in managing your anxiety.

Work With a Professional

Whether you’re comfortable talking to your inner circle or not, consider working with a mental health professional if you’re struggling with anxious thoughts. A calmer mind is possible with the right support.

Therapy is a great way to better understand where your thoughts are coming from and what triggers them. When you have that information, you can take active steps to fight back against them while easing some of the more severe symptoms. The best part? You don’t have to do it alone.

If you’re interested in learning more about how therapy can help or you’re ready to take that step, contact me today to set up a consultation.