For many of us, stress and anxiety are part of our daily lives. Problems at work, family issues, and health concerns all take a toll on our mental well-being. We’ve all heard that eating a balanced diet, exercising, and getting enough sleep can help relieve stress, but here are eight other things you can try to alleviate anxiety symptoms and improve your mood:
Go Back to School
If you find your current job frustrating, draining, unfulfilling, or too demanding of your time, leaving you feeling depleted and at times depressed, get a handle on your professional and financial future by obtaining a degree in the field of your choice through an online university program: get a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and go after your dream job.
Start a Journal
Journaling lets you express your emotions and put your feelings into words. Writing about traumatic or stressful events has been shown to be beneficial for one’s physical and emotional health, and often leads to personal growth. It’s up to you to decide whether your writing is just for you, or for all the world to read via an online blog.
Get a Pet
Take a dog out for a walk; fresh air and sunshine are natural mood boosters. Play and cuddle with a cat; they are great listeners and entertainers. All creatures big and small can be a great source of comfort and joy for their owners, and caring for another being helps you focus on something other than your own worries and concerns.
Be a Tourist
Grab a cup of coffee, sit at an outdoor terrace, and people-watch in your own city. Visit the new shops downtown or explore a nearby park. Go to a museum and strike up a friendly conversation with a stranger. Sometimes, getting out of your daily routine is all it takes to make you feel more optimistic and relieve some of your anxiety.
Volunteer
Giving of yourself is a powerful way to combat depression and anxiety. Sign up to volunteer at your local soup kitchen or homeless shelter, help organize a toy drive, donate blood; opportunities for volunteering and helping others are all around you, and the act of giving will bring you happiness and increase your self-esteem.
Try Self-Hypnosis
Learn techniques to relax and enter into a hypnotic state. Set aside at least 20 minutes to sit in a quiet place, take some deep breaths, then picture yourself in your happy place. Engage all your senses by recalling some pleasant smells and textures, then repeat a positive affirmation like a mantra.
Rearrange Your Furniture
The ancient Chinese tradition known as Feng Shui aims at creating a balanced, harmonious living space for you to relax and recenter. Its goal is to allow energy to flow freely throughout your home, thus improving your quality of life. Use the principles of Feng Shui to declutter and better organize your home: it will have a positive effect on your mood and relieve some of your stress.
Paint Your Walls
Choose a calming color scheme for your bedroom. Colors that are found in nature such as olive green, soft gray, tan and earthy tones have a calming effect and will help you unwind at the end of the day. Opt for cheerier colors such as light pink, pale yellow, or lavender to add warmth to your home office, and give your bathroom a spa-like atmosphere by painting it light blue or seafoam green.
Taming your stress and alleviating your anxiety sometimes means getting out of your comfort zone, trying new techniques, and experiencing new things. So find the ones that work for you and enjoy the calm and relaxation you deserve.
Ready to find your happy space? Please visit anxietymasteryblog.com for help and information