(information and picture from www.daysoftheyear.com)
World Mental Health Day was established in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health. In some countries around the world, it forms just one part of the larger Mental Illness Awareness Week.
Mental health problems, ranging from issues like depression and anxiety disorders to conditions like schizophrenia, affect millions of people around the world. In fact, according to current statistics, 1 in 4 people will experience some kind of mental health problem during their lifetime and many more will see friends of family members affected.
This morning, we shared 10 tips on how to calm anxiety in the moment.
These 10 expert-backed suggestions from www.webmd.com can relax your mind and help you regain control of your thoughts.
Click HERE for the full article. These tips are from Tamar Chansky, Ph.D., a psychologist and author of Freeing Yourself from Anxiety.
1. Stay in your time zone.
Ask yourself: What’s happening right now? Am I safe? Is there something I need to do right now? If not, make an “appointment” to check in with yourself later in the day to revisit your worries so those distant scenarios don’t throw you off track.
2. Relabel what’s happening.
3. Fact-check your thoughts.
People with anxiety often fixate on worst-case scenarios. To combat these worries, think about how realistic they are. Getting into a pattern of rethinking your fears helps train your brain to come up with a rational way to deal with your anxious thoughts.
4. Breathe in and out.
Deep breathing helps you calm down. Focus on evenly inhaling and exhaling. This will help slow down and re-center your mind.
5. Follow the 3-3-3 rule.
Look around you and name three things you see. Then, name three sounds you hear. Finally, move three parts of your body — your ankle, fingers, or arm. Whenever you feel your brain going 100 miles per hour, this mental trick can help center your mind, bringing you back to the present moment.
6. Just do something.
Stand up, take a walk, throw away a piece of trash from your desk — any action that interrupts your train of thought helps you regain a sense of control.
7. Stand up straight.
8. Stay away from sugar.
Research shows that eating too much sugar can worsen anxious feelings. Instead of reaching into the candy bowl, drink a glass of water or eat protein.
9. Ask for a second opinion.
Call or text a friend or family member and run through your worries with them. It can also help to write your fears on paper.
10. Watch a funny video.
Laughing is a good prescription for an anxious mind. Research shows that laughter has lots of benefits for our mental health and well-being; one study found that humor could help lower anxiety as much as (or even more than) exercise can.
If you deal with anxiety on a regular basis, mediation doesn’t have to be your only treatment. Here are self-care tips from www.webmd.com that can be worked into your daily routine:
Click HERE for the full article.
Move your body. Exercise is an important part of physical — and mental — health.
Pay attention to sleep. Both quality and quantity are important for good sleep
– Leave screens behind before you hit the hay.
– Try to stick to a schedule.
– Be sure your bed is comfy.
– Keep your room’s temperature on the cool side.
Ease up on caffeine.
Schedule your worry time. Take 30 minutes to identify what’s bothering you and what you can do about it. Have your “worry session” at the same time every day. Don’t dwell on “what-ifs.” Focus on what actually makes you anxious.
Breathe deep. It sends a message to your brain that you’re OK. That helps your mind and body relax. To get the most out of it, lie down on a flat surface and put one hand on your belly and the other on your chest. Take a slow breath in. Make sure it fills your belly enough that you can feel it rise slightly. Hold it for a second, then slowly let it out.
Be the boss of your thoughts. Try to turn any negative thoughts into positive ones. Picture yourself facing your fears head-on. The more you do this in your mind, the easier it will be to deal with it when it happens.
Tame tense muscles. Relax them with this simple exercise: Choose a muscle group, tighten it for a few seconds, then let go. Focus on one section at a time and work through your whole body. This is sometimes called progressive muscle relaxation.
Help out in your community. Spend time doing good things for others. It can help you get out of your head. Volunteer or do other work in your community. Not only will it feel good to give back, you’ll make connections that can be a support system for you, too.
Look for triggers. Think of times and places where you notice yourself feeling most anxious. Write them down, if you need to. Look for patterns and work on ways you can either avoid or confront the feelings of panic and worry. If you know the causes of your anxiety, that can help you put your worries into perspective. Next time, you’ll be better prepared when it affects you.
Rise and Shine 
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