5 Tools for Calming Anxiety

Do you ever feel overwhelmed  by anxiety? Is it difficult for you to stop the loop of negative thought patterns? This is a difficult spot to be in, and living with anxiety can be a major challenge that can impact many areas of your life. In order to manage your anxiety, you’ll need to have at least one tool that you can use in a pinch in order to calm yourself down and explore these big feelings. Here are 5 tools you can use to calm your anxiety:

Repeat calming mantras

How do mantras help? Mantras use repetition to penetrate the subconscious mind. “Chants have been analysed to be energy-based sounds and voicing a word or a sound produces a physical vibration. Chants thus create thought-energy waves, and the organism vibrates in tune with the energy and spiritual appeal of a chant.” (Hema Vijay)

Here are some mantras: Things always work out for me. Joy is my birthright and I claim it now. I trust the timing of my life. I surrender to my higher self. I understand all is well, even if I don’t see it yet

Practice Yoga

Yoga helps us connect with our mind, body, and soul. Breathwork is a major component in yoga, which is an essential tool when managing anxiety. Yoga also helps release the tension trapped between the muscles. Anxious thoughts cause us to tense up, creating knots in our muscles. Once we release this tension and our body relaxes, signals get sent to the brain, letting it know that we are not in harm’s way. 

Going for a walk

Anxious thoughts create restlessness and excess energy. Exercise helps you burn off this energy, while also pumping your body with feel-good hormones like endorphins. These are our body’s natural painkillers. It can seem daunting to commit to working out five times a week, but a walk can be a fun activity that you do for yourself. You’re outdoors, getting fresh air, and taking in the beauty of the world around you. Nature itself is a calming tool, and you can get more out of it when you combine it with exercise.

Expressing yourself

Set aside time to write in your journal. Sometimes, all we need to do is get our thoughts out on paper. Our mind can make things scarier than they really are, and having an outlet helps us see our problems from a different perspective. Creating art is another good way to calm yourself down, and provides the brain with profound healing. That is because making art puts the brain in a meditative state, relieving stress and anxiety. Plus, when you give yourself room to express your emotions, you can work out whether or not your anxiety is a trauma response.

Reading empowering books

Did you know that reading actually reduces stress by 68%? The content of what you are reading also contributes to your stress levels. Reading books that contribute to positive growth can help you get perspective and inspire you to move past the limitations your anxiety has put on you. Here are some recommendations from the lovely Jennifer H Carey. 

 If you feel stuck on your healing journey, working with a therapist can help. Based on your needs, our intake specialist will help you get matched up with your perfect therapist. Click here to schedule a consultation.

Starting with a creative written voice and a BA in English from ASU, Alli Cravener has become so much more than Integrative Counsel’s voice! Not only is she a writer who is passionate about connecting concepts and content, Alli is also currently a grad student working towards her Master’s in Counseling. She is also the editor-in-chief, office manager, AND intake specialist at Integrative Counsel. When you call us, you’ll talk to Alli! Alli’s interests include painting, history, learning about other people, and wearing the color pink. She likens herself to a “mouse in a palm tree”, and she loves it that way.