How to Calm Your Anxious Thoughts and Feel More in Control
For the past few months, my anxiety levels have been through the roof. I wake up with a racing heartbeat. I have lost my appetite and feel nauseous throughout the day. I have this sense of unease in my gut. I cannot focus on simple tasks, I forget things easily, I get annoyed by noises, light, and smells; I'd much rather be alone, because I feel jumpy and irritable most of the time.
I'm sure there are so many of you that are also feeling this way, especially with everything that has happened in the last year.
Deep down, I know I have nothing to worry about, but somehow, I cannot stop these anxious thoughts. That's why I decided to do a deep dive and research some ways I can calm and manage my anxiety.
Disclaimer | This post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Here are some tips on how to calm your anxious thoughts to feel more in control.
Whenever I start to experience anxiety, I take some time to ask myself what am I feeling? and why am I feeling this way? Writing things down is a great way to process your emotions, thoughts and try to understand what is actually going on in your mind.
Having a clear view of the situation is something that helps calm me down and feel more in control. More often than not, I end up realizing that I am in no actual danger, and that my worries are not real threats. Other times, I am able to better understand what is causing my anxiety and find solutions to resolve these issues.
If you find that being around people, noises, bright lights, or something else that may cause any sort of sensory overload- I know that is a huge thing for me- take some time to sit in a quiet room by yourself.
I like to listen to calming music, smell lavender and peppermint essential oils, and just breathe. Also, taking a break from the internet, the news, social media, etc. is a great help. Shutting down the world and the people around me for a few hours just to be by myself is incredibly helpful.
What? Yes, drinking water is a great way to calm your mind. According to Calm Clinic (here is the article I referenced), dehydration can either make your symptoms worse, or be a contributing factor to cause anxiety.
It might sound confusing and even dumb, but trust me, drinking water really helps. This might be TMI, but when I feel anxious, I usually pee more than usual. (I found this article that explains why this happens when we're feeling anxious.) This leaves me feeling drained and parched. I try to drink a few glasses of really cold water throughout the day, and that makes me feel more refreshed and at ease. I also think of it as some sort of self-care ritual, and I try to make it an enjoyable experience rather than a task.
Breathing exercises, colouring, painting, dancing, reading affirmations... there are so many great activities you can do to keep your mind engaged while also relaxing.
I find that taking time off from my regular routine is a tremendous help. I won't lie to you; it is a hard process. At the beginning, I used to feel guilty for "wasting time" when I could be working. But I've learned that my wellbeing is the most important.
Trying to get work done when I cannot focus or remember things, is not good for me or for my business. I have learned that forcing myself to create content when I am dealing with anxiety is not a good practice. I would much rather take some time to process my emotions and then come back feeling refreshed and inspired to put the best of me into the work I do.
There we go, lovelies. I hope you find these suggestions helpful. Being able to calm your mind and find ways to better manage your anxious thoughts is an everyday practice. Remember to be consistent and patient with yourself. Listen to your mind and body, and do what works best for you.
Thank you so much for reading this post.
Until next time.
Gabriela Fernández
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