Everyone experiences anxiety at some point in their lives in one way or another. With the world in the middle of a pandemic, uncertainty is all around us and anxiety has become a common feeling. It’s understandable that many seek to find ways to ease their anxious minds.
But where do you start on the path to combat anxiety? To help people cope as best they can, we asked 9 thought leaders to share their advice on ways to ease anxiety and help get back to a sense of routine.
Turn Off the Screens
Staying glued to the news or social media feeds in the midst of global chaos creates a strong sense of doom that makes anxiety feel like a permanent state of existence. Designate a single source of unbiased information to check once every other day and use the rest of your now-free time to take up a hobby. After a couple of days, you’ll start noticing quite the difference in your mood and stress.
Carey Wilbur, Charter Capital
Change Your Environment
When anxiety strikes, having a change of scenery is a helpful way to ease your tension. Certain places often trigger anxiety or make it worse; it makes the person feel as if they are stuck. Whenever you get anxious, try going outside. Take a walk through the park or to a neighbor’s house. Changing up your environment will aid in breaking up an anxiety attack.
Dan Reck, MATClinics
Focus on Breathing
Take five minutes. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in through your nose. Hold it. Breathe out slowly through your mouth. Now, do this before entering high-pressure situations like a job interview, a pitch to a client or a meeting with your boss. Nothing helps calm anxiety than putting full attention and effort into the one thing we all take for granted: breathing.
Brett Farmiloe, Markitors
Walking Meditation
I have a lot of responsibilities and sometimes it gets overwhelming. When my mind is racing, I do five to ten minutes of walking meditation. It is simple, fast and wonderful, especially for people who work all day long sitting in front of a screen such as myself. Choose a low-stress environment (your backyard, a silent street, or even another room) and just start walking. If it’s a room, you can pace. Let go of the need to think about things.
You’ll keep catching yourself lost in thought, appreciate that you have caught yourself, then let go and enjoy a moment of peace. You’ll notice those moments of peace between one thought and the next will start becoming longer and longer.
David Mack, SketchDeck
Get Outside
I think nature has a calming effect on most people. The ability to plan your itinerary and disconnect from the daily stresses is perfect for RV vacations. Digital detox and disconnect. Many are cooped up at home so just getting outside allows for so much relief and reduces anxiety. Hikes, swimming in the river–you name it!
Randall Smalley, Cruise America
Music Remedy
Music has always worked like magic for me. I feel it can be the most viable solution for people when they are feeling blue. Flooding your body with happy hormones, music instantly lifts your mood by taking you into a completely different world. Whenever you are feeling low, listening to motivational songs or singing them at the top of your lungs can give you the strength and motivation to pick yourself up.
We all worry and get upset from time to time, but knowing how to calm yourself helps you get your thoughts back into control real fast. Music is a quick remedy for stress irrespective of age which makes it even more amazing!
Supriya Agnihotri, SurveySensum
Exercise Throughout the Day
Do a few minutes of exercise every hour throughout the day. Gyms have been closed due to the virus, so most people have been stuck at home, cooped up all day. Multiple studies have shown that exercise reduces stress and anxiety. I like to do short bursts of exercise (three to five minutes) throughout the day to stay fresh and not get burnt out or anxious while working from home.
David Lynch, Payette Forward, Inc.
Consume Healthy Meals
Boosting your intake of antioxidant-rich foods has been shown to reduce the incidence of depression and anxiety. At the same time, healthy carbohydrate-rich meals can improve your mood by increasing serotonin levels naturally. That means that changing your diet may also change how you feel. Instead of the mood rollercoasters you get from eating junk foods and consuming sugary drinks, opt for more whole plant-based foods that reduce inflammation, offer steady energy and true cellular nourishment.
Alena Schowalter, Nutriciously
Accept That You Will Never Completely Stop Feeling Anxious
For many people, feeling anxious about their future and the future or our country is a new reality. While there are many things you can do to combat it, the single most important thing you can do is accept the existence of your anxiety. While this might seem counterintuitive to accept anxiety in order to curb its impact, it is one of the best ways to keep anxiety from impacting your health. By acknowledging that your feelings of anxiety exist but will not be enough to harm you, you can gain control over those anxious feelings.
Kristen Fescoe, Resility Health
