CALM YOUR ANXIETY: MINDFULNESS HELP
October 9, 2018
Pittsburgh Fitness Project
Calm your anxiety. I have a real tendency toward anxiousness. I think a lot of people do, especially in our modern-day society. In fact, it’s almost difficult not to! It would be untrue to say I still don’t struggle with it, even with my (self-proclaimed!) obsession with mindfulness. What I can say is that regular mindfulness exercises combined with a casual exploration of the topic (reading books, articles, listening to podcasts, etc.) have made a huge difference in the severity of my worried thoughts. Notice that I say severity, not frequency.
CALM YOUR ANXIETY
Sometimes I become a bit frustrated with myself when anxious thoughts keep popping up in my mind. When this happens, though, I am forgetting one of the most basic aspects of mindfulness. That mindfulness is simply becoming aware of our thoughts and surroundings in a non-judgemental way. So it is not a bad thing that I have these thoughts! That’s part of being human. And both fear and worry have their place in protecting us a lot of times.
WHEN IT BECOMES A PROBLEM
When this becomes a problem is when we are not aware of these negative thoughts taking control of our mind. Mindfulness teaches us to take notice of what is going on and step back so as to put these observations into perspective with the bigger picture. Remember that mindfulness practices will not necessarily eliminate unease, but can help keep it from being in the forefront of your mind, thus allowing you to maintain control over your worry (rather than the other way around).
TIPS TO HELP CALM YOUR ANXIETY
Do a guided meditation or mindfulness practice: Meditation can be a great way to calm your anxiety. It’s as easy as finding a sliver of space and opening an app. Apps and online programs are a great way to dip your toe into practice without committing to an expensive class or taking up much time. There are countless free, guided meditations online. These meditation apps are a great place to start.
Doodle or color: Set aside a couple of minutes to doodle to calm your anxiety. You’ll get the creative juices flowing and let your mind take a break. Does drawing stress you out? Shamelessly invest in a coloring book, adult or otherwise. You’ll have the perk of accomplishing something without having to face a blank page.
Go for a walk: Being outside is another great way to begin to calm your anxiety. Pay attention to the sounds around you, the feel of the wind against your skin, and the smells around you. Keep your phone in your pocket (or better yet, at home), and do your best to stay in the moment by focusing on your senses and your environment. Start with a short jaunt around the block and see how you feel.