The most effective way to combat anxiety is to relax. Of course, this is easier said than done. Throughout this challenge, I will provide you with a variety of tips and ideas to help you get started. To give just one example, we started with breathing exercises.
The issue is that it can be difficult to relax when you are already stressed. It can be difficult to find the willpower and concentration to make it happen. This is where a relaxation ritual can come in handy.
Your ritual can be as simple or as complicated as you require. It could be as simple as repeating a short mantra in your head while doing breathing exercises until you feel calm. Coming home, lighting a calming scent candle, making a cup of herbal tea, and sipping it while sitting in your favorite chair, covered by a weighted blanket, could be all it takes.
Everything is dependent on what works best for you and what fits into your schedule.
You want a simple ritual that you can do at any time and from any location. Focusing on meditation and breathing techniques, going for a quick walk, or listening to music on your phone will all be beneficial in these situations.
While this is effective for some of us at least some of the time, it is not always sufficient. To truly calm yourself and get rid of anxiety, you may need to do something more involved and be in a place where you feel safe (such as your home).
In those cases, try to get through the day by reminding yourself that your ritual can begin the moment you walk in the door.
Now it’s your turn. Consider some of the things you already do to relax and reduce stress. Add a few more things to the list that you’ve been meaning to try, such as essential oils, a hot Epsom salt bath, or a new meditation technique or yoga pose. Make a short list and then try to come up with two distinct types of rituals.
One should be short and mobile, while the other should be a little more involved but useful when you’re feeling anxious or stressed. Experiment with them, and if they work well for you, make them a regular practice so they become an actual ritual and your go-to solution when you’re stressed.
If something doesn’t seem to be working properly or feels off, keep changing and tweaking until it does. Remember, this is your ritual, and it must only benefit you.
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