We all feel anxious sometimes, it’s a normal part of life. If your anxious feelings start to impact your quality of life and day-to-day functioning, it can be a sign of an anxiety condition. In this post we look at some quick actions you can take to help ease the feelings of anxiety, depression and stress.
- Use distanced self-talk – when anxious or depressed thoughts occur as words in your mind- use your name or in the 2nd person “you” to refer to yourself about what to do or how you see it.
- Imagine advising a friend – what advice would I give to someone else experiencing the same thing?
- Broaden your perspective – think about the experience you’re worried about and how it compares to other tough events that you or others have been through. How would other people you admire respond to the same situation?
- Reinterpret the body’s responses– For butterflies in the stomach, heart racing etc remind yourself this is an evolutionary response that is designed to help you respond in high stress situations. Your body having sweaty palms and increased heart rate isn’t trying to sabotage you, it’s trying to help you respond to a challenge.
- Engage in mental time travel – Gain some distance from the situation and think about how you will think about this situation in a month, a year or even longer.
- Journal your feelings – write own your deepest thoughts and feelings. Do this for 15 minutes a day. Focus on taking the perspective as the narrator, this provides you with distance and helps you make sense of what you felt in ways that improve how you feel over time.
If you, or anyone you know is experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, or just need a trusted professional to talk to, please feel free to reach out. You can contact Alternative Direction Ferny Hills on +61 (07) 3351 7141, or Albany Creek on +61 (07) 3012 9045. Alternatively, feel free to send us an email at info@alternativedirection.com.au.
