School or work can sometimes be stressful, and with looming deadlines, you can easily feel overwhelmed. If you’re having a hard time getting through each day because of your anxiety, consider some calming exercises.

Weird tips that just might work

Taking a “weird” break can help you escape a stifling routine so you can have a healthier and happier perspective. We all need vacations, and our brain needs a break too.

If the methods you use to manage stress aren’t as effective, it may be time to try some new and weird tips like the ones below:

• Call a friend you’ve lost contact with for more than a year – Reconnecting with old friends can help you see life from a new perspective.
• Go outside and spent one minute feeling the grass – This exercise will help you channel your inner kid. Focus on the grass and breathe.
• Laugh hard at a joke that isn’t that funny – This doesn’t mean you can be rude to the person telling the joke. Focus on laughing to help manage your stress and release some much-needed endorphins. (Related: People who don’t take themselves too seriously tend to have greater psychological well-being, according to study on humor.)
• Move items from one side of your desk to the other – If you’re particular about how your desk is arranged, you can try doing this for just for one day. This exercise is about perception. If you’re stressed, a change of perspective can help you calm down.
• Use your imagination and meditate – Go to a quiet spot, and imagine how it would feel to fly like a bird. Sometimes, having fun with your imagination and taking a break is all you need to relax.

Calming strategies

These strategies are more practical, but they can also help you deal with anxiety and stress:

• Declutter – Eliminating the junk in your home can help reduce your stress, especially if you spend most mornings rummaging for things like your car keys and phone. Choose a cabinet, closet, or drawer. Make three piles: items you’ll donate, items you’ll sell, and items you’ll throw away.
• Exercise – Exercise is a natural way to beat anxiety. Physical activity can clear your mind, boost your endorphins, and help you sleep better at night.
• Focus on self-care – Take a break and get a haircut, a mani-pedi, or a massage. Self-care is important, and you don’t always have to splurge. Buy some of your favorite chocolates and listen to some music if you want to.
• Get enough sleep every night – You need enough sleep so your body and brain can get enough rest.
• Meditate – Before you start your day, meditate for ten minutes. Channel positive energy and be calm to set the tone for the rest of your day.
• Plan a day trip – If you have money left over from selling some items, go on a quick trip. Immersing yourself in nature can help invigorate your mind and body.
• Schedule a physical exam – This can help rule out any physical health condition that could be causing your anxiety.
• Schedule a visit with a therapist – If you are having trouble managing your anxiety, a therapist can help you determine what’s causing your worries.
• Learn to accept your anxiety – Regardless of its cause, like if you’ve inherited the “anxiety gene” from your parents, a hectic lifestyle, or both, don’t fight it. Accepting your anxiety doesn’t mean succumbing to it. You need to know that dealing with it a healthy manner means you have to work hard every day, so your environment is calm.

You can learn more about mental health and tips on how you can manage your anxiety at Mind.news.

Sources include:

WorkHappyNow.com

PsychologyToday.com