Stress and anxiety reduction tools can differ among every person. As I mentioned in the previous blog, the things that trigger one may not trigger another person. This also relates to the self managing skills; meaning that they differ among everyone as well. There are many ways to relax yourself, so trying a lot of them is the best way to find what works for you. This list is not only to help anxiety and stress, but prevent and stop it in the moment also. These are things that I do to help my anxiety and I hope they can help yours too.
- Breathing techniques like taking slow, deep breathes when feeling nervous can reduce your heart rate and give a feeling of ease. Inhale through your nose, exhale through your mouth.
- Distract yourself. This can prevent you from constantly being worried. Call a friend, bake, or go to a favorite spot. Keeping yourself busy will help keep you from your overthinking.
- Exercise. An article by Christina Desmarais states, “Countless studies prove the myriad health benefits of working out, including recent research that found strengthening your muscles releases enzymes that detoxify a substance called kynurenine, a byproduct of stress and inflammation” (Desmarais). Meaning that scientifically, exercising is beneficial to reducing stress. Go for a run, walk or take a trip to the gym.
- Meditating/yoga for 30 min a day. Calming your mind by focusing on breathing, stretching and relaxing your muscles will help detox the bad energy, even if it is just only for that 30 minutes!
- Spend time around those who make you happy. Negative vibes rub off on everyone around, so if someone in your life is negatively impacting you and your happiness.. Stop being around them! Surround yourself with positive, radiant energy because not only will it rub off on you but also help you forget about your anxious thoughts.
- Write your thoughts. Keep a journal. Keeping your thoughts on paper- whether they are good or bad- can help you reflect. You may notice a habit you have that you want to break. Or notice that you are proud of yourself for doing something. Or writing can just be a form of stress relief.
When it comes to school:
- Make a schedule. Planning your days truly help with that feeling of worry and overload of stress. Use a calendar and/or assignment notebook to track what you should be doing each day.
- Maintain a healthy diet. While stressed, it is easy to forget about your eating habits. Eating well is important because mental health and physical health go hand in hand. Without good physical health, it is hard to have a good mental health.
- Regulate your sleep habits. Being sleep deprived or even getting too much sleep can cause anxiety. Making sure a steady schedule is in place can help with anxious feelings.
- Give yourself alone time. When going from class to class, to busy dining halls/cafeterias is it important to give yourself some space to relax. Go to a lounge, or coffee shop and plug in headphones or watch something you enjoy. I have found that having time alone can give me a clear headspace.
DesMarais, C. (2018). 10 Scientifically Proven Ways to Reduce Your Stress. [online] Inc.com. Available at: https://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/10-scientifically-proven-ways-to-reduce-your-stress.html [Accessed 28 Nov. 2018].
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