Simple Tips to Manage Anxiety and Find Calm
Anxiety can strike anytime and anywhere, but there are simple ways to help ease it, experts say. Dr. Daniel Amen, a psychiatrist and founder of Amen Clinics in California, shares an easy technique that can help you manage anxiety in today’s stressful world.
High cortisol levels from stress can harm your brain and lead to weight gain, especially around your belly, Dr. Amen warns. That’s why having a plan for managing stress is essential.
One of the most effective ways to calm your mind and body is through diaphragmatic breathing. This technique involves taking deep breaths that fill your belly, not just your chest.
Here’s how to do it:
- Inhale deeply for four seconds.
- Hold your breath for one and a half seconds.
- Exhale for eight seconds.
- Hold your breath out for another one and a half seconds.
By taking longer to breathe out than to breathe in, you activate your body’s “relaxation response,” which helps you feel safe and calm.
Dr. Amen explains that this simple routine, which takes just about 15 seconds, can significantly improve your heart rate and overall health. If you practice it four to six times, you’ll likely notice your body feeling more relaxed.
Many people dealing with anxiety, especially during panic attacks, often want to escape the situation. But Dr. Amen advises against this. Instead of leaving, focus on deep breathing and countering negative thoughts that may arise.
He recommends a quick exercise: write down your thoughts when you’re feeling anxious. Then ask yourself, “Is this really true?” This practice can help you see things more clearly and reduce anxiety.
Overall, deep breathing and mindfulness can be powerful tools in managing anxiety and promoting relaxation in daily life.
