Are you asking yourself, What is anxiety? Anxiety is a feeling of being worried, stressed, fearful, and uneasy. It can be due to stress or overworking yourself. It is a natural response when we feel in danger but sometimes it shows up even when we are in a safe environment, like when we have a big presentation, interviews, etc which can create nervousness as we become more anxious, Thoughts with if’s and but’s come, our heart rate increases, which could leave us puzzled and confused about our abilities In situations like these, exercise plays a role of hero, When we feel anxious instead of focusing on those thoughts, if we move our body, for example, doing some warm-up exercises, yoga or even dance, it can shift our body’s focus from fight or flight stage to calm one as our body becomes to relax.

Moving around doesn't mean doing exercise or going to the gym; it can be walking around in nature or anything that you prefer, It releases chemicals in our body, which can make an anxious frown turn into a happy smile. Even if you are walking in your house  or workspace, it gives you a chance to shift your mindset  from those nervous thoughts 

Find Your Relaxing Activity

Each individual is different from others, aren’t we? So our ways of relaxing and unwinding would differ. For some, it might be hitting the gym, but for others, it could be doing yoga, dancing, walking, or even exploring new places. Doing something that makes you relax for one time won't be very beneficial, but if you are doing it consistently while not focusing on how much time you spend but on the quality of the activity you are doing, it will make you feel much happier. I know it is easier said than done, but once we make a habit of doing it, we will feel much more in control of anxious or stressful situations as we are aware of the ways to fight them.

Photo by  Jake Melara Team  on  Unsplash

Plan, Initiate and Execute 

Planning is the first step as we try to find the way to relax that works the best for us; sometimes it might not be a physical activity but can be listening to music, cooking, baking, or painting. After finding the activity that fits you better, the next step is to incorporate it into your daily routine, for instance, by dedicating a particular time to something. Now when the plan is ready, the most difficult task comes, which is to start doing it. Starting something out of the blue can be a bit difficult, as we could procrastinate, not wanting to do it, but we have to remember that we are doing it for ourselves; once you start doing your activity, just focus on its consistency, not the hours you spend on it. Create targets; once you reach them, reward yourself for doing it. Just remember that having realistic goals is the main aspect; it's okay if you skip a day due to being too tired or too much work. When you are continuously moving your body and keeping it relaxed, not only will you feel calm but you will also become resilient, as you will become more confident about yourself in dealing with and overcoming stress. 

Photo by  Cory Team  on  Unsplash

For professional care, reach out to a mental health professional at Happy Minds today!