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These days, it is not uncommon to feel anxious. Yet despite the uncertainties swirling around in the world, you need not be swept up by them. There are simple ways to cope with your feelings, taking the edge off fear and helping you to restore peace of mind.
When many experience general anxiety, they may have feelings of restlessness as if inner turmoil is brewing inside. Anxiety may also result in feelings of fear, even dread. These feelings are not unusual, and although they come from within, they can also influence behavior. Anxiety can affect your sleep and your health.
There are simple ways to beat these anxious feelings that are easy to do, healthy, and free! Here are five tips that may release you from negative thoughts, encouraging you to have fun and be positive.
Just do it
Mental health researcher Dr. Olivia Remes wrote in The Conversation that feeling in control leads to improved mental health. The best way to gain control is to take action. If you are having trouble making decisions, Remes’ advice is to quit procrastinating and do it, even if you do it badly.
Waiting for the perfect time may never happen, and when you procrastinate, you cause yourself more stress and anxiety. So go for it. You can fine tune any mistakes later and this leap into action will give you the courage to try new things.
Olivia Remes (@OliviaRoxann) says that everyone can develop skills on their own to cope with anxiety, and these techniques can actually begin with allowing yourself to fail... badly. pic.twitter.com/mPnbb9su1J
— TED Radio Hour (@TEDRadioHour) October 15, 2019
Stay connected
Remes points out that being connected to others helps improve mental health. This can be reaching out to friends and having close family relationships, or doing something good for strangers. When you help others, it can take the emphasis off your own worries. And when you see that you can make a difference in another’s life, you may begin to feel better and more confident.
The famous Harvard Study of Adult Development has been running for over 80 years. Over generations, researchers are seeing a strong connection between happiness and close relationships, showing that reaching out to others is a mood booster.
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Wait to worry
Here is another practical tip from Olivia Remes. If something goes wrong, do not fret about the issue when it happens. Worrying will hijack your thoughts, prevent you from continuing the task at hand, and create negative emotions.
Instead, be present. Tell yourself you will set time aside later to focus on the issue. After you return to the situation at a later time, it often seems less worrying.
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Be kind to yourself
Once again, do not let those negative thoughts hijack you. This can also lead to feelings of self-criticism. Do not go there! As Remes explains, you would not want to be friends with someone who points out all of your mistakes, so do not hitch a ride with self-degrading thoughts.
As soon as a negative thought pops into your mind, admit that yes, you have a tendency to be self-critical. Then drop this thought and continue on with your day. Or, reverse these negative patterns by doing mindfulness meditation.
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Think positively
Instead of dwelling on the inner critic, switch gears and turn to a positive mindset. When you are anxious, you can blur your thinking so much, according to Psychology Today, you may lose touch with the bigger picture.
Instead of dwelling on what is wrong, shift your thoughts to what is right and think about the positive experiences you have enjoyed in life.
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