I think it’s pretty fair to say that most of us are operating at a higher level of anxiety than we used to (ya know, before 2020 happened).
Between working from home, kids virtually attending school, uncertainty about when we’ll get back to “normal” and whatever that will look like, we’re all more anxious than ever.
Here’s a trick to snap yourself out of it: Start clapping.
Or do Jumping Jacks…or any action, really.
When you start to feel a wave of anxiety come on, interrupt your thoughts with action.
An action as something as simple as clapping, jumping, taking the stairs, or walking across the room to look out the window can snap you back.
Activities that require your brain to refocus itself on alternative tasks can help interrupt your current thoughts. Try taking a shower, preparing foods, or a personal favorite, play some music and have a mini dance break.
Tony Robbins is famously known for taking ice baths and jumping on his mini-trampoline to get himself out of his head and into the present.
If you still feel anxiousness coming on, changing your physical location can help reset your brain, like walking outside. Fresh air can also improve your well-being, and one study even found that people who took a walking trip to a wooded area had lowered the production of stress hormones than when they remained in a city.
If you don’t live in a walking-friendly neighborhood, then look to your stairs in your house.
Anxiety can also be caused by a buildup of adrenaline. Use this adrenaline to your advantage by taking a walk or a run. Look up some yoga videos on the Internet to follow along with.
Next time you feel that anxious feeling coming on, try one of these tricks, like 10 jumping jacks. Or at least get a chuckle, picturing me jumping and clapping as I write this.
Above all, give yourself some grace. These have been some hard times. It will get better.
To your health!
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