You know what it feels like. You’re anxious. Your heart is racing. You want to feel calm. Try these tips to calm anxiety quickly.
1. Meditate
Sit or lay down in a comfortable, quiet place. Start a 5 minute timer. Close your eyes. Breathe through your nose and out of your mouth. As you breathe, imagine liquid washing away thoughts, tension & cares from the center of your forehead, all the way down your body. Feel the thoughts and energy move out through your feet. When ready, slowly open your eyes and come back into the space you’re in.
2. Cold Water
Splash cold water on your face. It stimulates the “dive reflex” which stimulates the vagus nerve and turns on the parasympathetic nervous system, and turns off fight or flight.
3. Walk
There are so many benefits to walking! One of the lesser-known benefits to walking is Panoramic Vision. Our stress levels decrease when we see things pass by us as our vision opens up. Pretty cool right?
4. Shake It Off!
Dance, move your body, shadow-box, have a blast and sweat for a few minutes to reduce stress and increase endorphins.
5. Green Foods
Green leafy foods contain magnesium. Magnesium helps calm your nervous system and increases relaxation. Try a delicious smoothie.
6. Listen to Birds
Hearing bird sounds is proven to increase feelings of wellbeing for hours.
7. Lift Weights
Lifting weights is proven to significantly reduce anxiety. It releases feel good endorphins.
8. Lay on Your Back and Breathe Deep
Breathing deeply signals to your nervous system that you are safe. Laying on the floor can increase feelings of being grounded.
9. Hands on Chest, I am Safe
Placing your hands on your chest and saying “I am safe” has the same benefits as getting a hug. You can do this anywhere to instantly calm anxiety.
10. Sing or Hum
Singing and humming activates the vagus nerve, which promotes relaxation.
