Feeling overwhelmed by anxiety lately?

Don't worry, you're not alone! It's time to quiet those negative or critical voices in your head and take back control. Check out these simple steps you can take on to ease those anxious feelings.

1 DEEP BREATHING - Lie on your back with your hand on your tummy. Inhale for a count of 7 and exhale 11. Aim for 10 rounds. Longer exhales trigger relaxation response, promoting calmness.

2 GROUND YOURSELF - Try disrupting negative thoughts with a grounding exercise. Here's how it works;
1. Feel your body's weight.
2. Plant your feet firmly on the floor.
3. Close eyes, tocus on breath.
Visualise energy leaving your mind, flowing through your body, out your feet. Feel the heaviness sink down grounding you.

3 TRY JOURNALING TO BREAK THE HABIT - Combat negative thoughts with a gratitude journal. Nightly, jot down three things you're thankful for, no matter how small. Studies show this rewires your brain to focus on positives, reducing stress.

4 HUMMING - Humming stimulates the vagus nerve, which touches every organ and key parts of the nervous system. As our voice box is linked to this nerve, humming triggers a natural release of relaxing hormones.

5 GET ACTIVE - Exercise alters brain chemistry, boosting mood with endorphin release. No gym needed - daily walks in daylight enhance health, fitness, and mental well-being. For extra benefits, stroll in nature, like a local park or tree-lined streets.

6 LIMIT NEWS AND SOCIAL MEDIA - In a digital age, information overload can lead to overwhelm. Reduce anxiety by limiting news and social media consumption. Spend screen-free time on activities like mindful walking. Avoid blue light from devices before bed to promote better sleep.

7 MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF - Making time to unwind and relax can relieve feelings of anxiety. You could try:
- Running a bath.
- Listening to music.
- Reading a book.

8 TALK ABOUT IT - Bottling up emotions hinders processing and learning. Sharing with a trusted person or seeking an independent view can provide relief.

Thank me later👋