Reducing Your Anxiety Through Mindful Practices

Are you feeling anxious? Your mind has the power to calm itself with simple mindfulness strategies. Use tips and techniques to help reduce stress, ease your mind, and improve your mental health. You can learn how to bust anxiety and keep it away with practice!

Get to know your anxious thoughts.

An essential part of reducing your anxiety is understanding it. Notice when anxious thoughts arise and take time to observe them without judgement or criticism. Acknowledge the thoughts, remind yourself that they are normal, and permit yourself to feel the anxiety without trying to push it away.

Slow down through mindful practices.

Mindful practices can help reduce your anxiety by bringing more awareness to how you feel in the present moment. Take a few moments each day to slow down and observe the thoughts, feelings, and sensations that arise. Notice your posture and the tension in your body, then practice deep breathing for several minutes. Allow yourself to be aware of the physical sensations without judgement or criticism.

Understand the connection between physical and emotional wellbeing.

Recognising the connection between physical and emotional well-being is an essential step in reducing anxiety. Acknowledge that how your body feels can drastically affect your mental state. When feeling tightness in your chest, focus on calming physical sensations and positive thoughts. This helps to create a more balanced mind-body connection, allowing you to manage anxiety and stress better.

Develop an attitude of self-compassion and acceptance.

An anxiety-reducing practice that can be implemented right away is self-compassion. Acknowledge your negative thoughts and recognise that everyone makes mistakes and faces difficult times. Listening to your body’s physical cues, such as muscle tension and high heart rates, can also help you recognise when to address a stressful situation and make time for yourself.

Make time for relaxation activities that bring you joy.

Setting aside time to do activities that bring you a sense of calm and joy can significantly reduce tension and stress. Whether it’s an outdoor walk, yoga, journaling, or anything else that brings you joy, make a conscious effort to set aside some time every day to spend on yourself. During this time, take slow deep breaths and allow yourself to relax your body and mind.