8 Effective Relaxation Techniques For Anxiety
Article by Kay J. Riz
These 8 relaxation techniques for anxiety are dedicated to all the folks out there desperately searching for a little relief from their panic and anxiety attacks. I have been where you are right now and it’s not fun. But there is hope so read on.
From a Holistic perspective, anxiety and panic attacks should serve as a warning sign that your body, mind and spirit are grossly imbalanced and it is time for you to make some changes to improve your life and nourish your body and brain.
Please do not ignore these warning signs! Begin today making healthy choices and changes that will prevent a “worst case scenario” in the future.
Here are 8 things you do right now to take the edge off and re-balance your body chemistry:
1.EFT (the Emotional Freedom Technique): EFT is incredibly simple and super effective. EFT is a series of taps along energy meridians throughout the face and body. Look at anxiety as trapped energy with nowhere to go. EFT breaks up this intense energy allowing you to release it. If you haven’t tried EFT yet, learn it and use it. It WORKS!2.HAVE A TEMPER TANTRUM: (it’s best to do this when you are alone;-) ). You read that right…..have yourself a bonafide tempter tantrum. Throw yourself on your bed, kick your legs, flail around, wiggle, jiggle, punch your pillow, scream into your pillow at the top of your lungs (you get the picture). This is one of THE best relaxation techniques for stress. Sounds crazy, but it’s true. You just need to cut loose and let it go. IMPORTANT: stay on the soft bed and avoid contact with anything hard than can physically harm your head, hands, feet or body.
3.BREATHE: Sounds simple but it is NOT! As someone who has suffered horribly from anxiety attacks in the past, I know first hand that it is almost impossible to take a deep breath in the middle of the physical pain of a panic attack. But make this your focus. Breathe in deep through your nose and concentrate on filling the lower lobes of your lungs. Then blow out through your mouth, force the breath out until there is nothing left.
4.TAKE A HOT BATH: A toxic mind (full of worry) equals a toxic body. Take a bath and add 1 cup of epsom salt and 1 cup of baking soda added to hot water. This will draw any toxins out of your body through the skin. On a spiritual level, epsom salt and baking soda absorb and clear away any negative energy that may be attached to you. If you do it in the morning, allow yourself some time to take a nap afterward. A hot bath is always excellent for relaxation and stress reduction. Soak for 20-30 with your eyes closed and focus on your breathing.
5.WRITE: Channel your Anxiety into writing. Take some time to examine your fears. What is running through your mind when you have an anxiety attack? What fears trigger the anxiety? Grab a piece of paper and start writing like a maniac. Don’t judge what you are writing, just write down every thought running through your head. Take all your worries and frustrations and put them on paper. If you feel like crying, don’t hold back. Let it go. A good cry is equally as healthy as a good laugh.
6.EAT SOME RAW GREEN VEGGIES: You need oxygen! Go grab some raw broccoli or chomp down a healthy green leaf spinach salad. Raw, green veggies will increase oxygen to your brain and body. Anxiety attacks are a sure sign you are not taking care of yourself in some way or another. It could be what you are eating. Go get some raw green food and eat it.
7.SCREAM WHILE DRIVING: (this one is my personal fav) This is similar to having a temper tantrum. You need to release the pent up energy from your anxiety. The next time you are driving alone in your car, scream at the top of your lungs. Just scream! I found this best to do on the freeway. Look around to see if there are any other cars around, and if not “let ‘er rip”….yell and scream until the intensity is gone. Okay, so it sounds embarrassing. Well, it is! That’s why I don’t do it if there is anyone watching. But! Better to scream and yell in my car by myself than explode at the drop of a hat near my children. Screaming dispels the trapped energy built up inside your mind and body. Just try it the next time you are driving alone and feeling anxious. You will feel the relief.
8.TAKE A WALK: sounds clich
