Twanna Carter, PhD, PCC
Photo by Renee Wilhite

We have lots of reasons to worry. A certain amount of worrying can be useful. It directs our attention to issues that might need to be managed.However, when worry leads to constant anxiety, things have gone too far to be useful.

We’ve all heard that we should breathe deeply when were feeling anxious, but there are other possible solutions you may have never considered.

Try one of these 9 ways for dealing with anxiety:

1. Cold showers.

   When you’re anxious, your mind is racing and focused on negative thoughts. One quick way to bring your mind back to reality is to take a cold shower. It can take your breath away, but it certainly brings your mind back to the presently quickly!

2. Hold ice in your mouth is one of the little known ways for dealing with anxiety.

   This has a similar effect to taking a cold shower. In addition, breathing in that cold air that has passed over the ice is soothing to many people.

3. Pretend you’re someone that handles stress and anxiety with ease.

   Pick someone you know that exudes calm. Imagine being in their body.What would you feel? What thoughts would you notice? How do you think they would view and approach the situation thats causing you to feel anxious? Maybe you’ll discover something new you can use from this experience. 

4. Imagine yourself in a peaceful setting.

   What would be the most relaxing scenario for you? Would it be the mountains? The beach? A field of flowers? Who else would be there? What would they say? What would you smell and hear? What would the weather be like? Experience it fully.

5. Do something that takes your full attention.

   Whether its doing a crossword puzzle, playing chess, or walking on a slack-line in the backyard. Anything that fully occupies your attention for a while will give your mind a break from whatever is bothering you.

6. Schedule worry time.

   Instead of worrying throughout the day, why not schedule some worry time? You can worry all you want for 30 minutes, but you cant worry the other 23.5 hours of the day.Just knowing that you can worry later will ease your mind and allow you to accomplish more.

8. Go to bed earlier and get up earlier.

   Going to bed earlier will allow you to get more sleep. Getting up earlier will allow you to start your day with less rushing around.

9. Go camping.

   Or just get out of town. Sleeping on the ground or in a different bed in new surroundings can do a lot to change your perspective and alter your mood. If you need a change of pace, give yourself one. A weekend can do wonders.

Anxiety can take all the joy out of life.When you’re worrying all of the time, its challenging to find any enjoyment.

Just as creating a feeling of anxiety is a skill, you can also develop the skill of calming yourself. Consider anxiety-reducing ideas that might seem a little unusual. There’s no telling what will work for you until you try.

Always Rising Above!

xoxoxo Twanna

P.S. Interested in identifying ways to resolve your anxiety once and for all? Without spending the next 1-2 years in therapy?

Sign for 30-Minute Consultation with me. I only enroll  3 clients a month into my Panic to Power & Prosper: Push past anxiety to progression in 3 months (without years long therapy appointments) Coaching program.  Sign up for your 30-Minute consultation today.