An article by Seema Khurana (Psychotherapist & Counsellor)
Every emotion we feel is essentially just unreleased or unused energy, so we have to learn how to use our energy in the most efficient way.
- Ask yourself why you feel afraid.
Is there something in your immediate environment that will cause harm to you or others? Anytime you feel anxious, you need to check with yourself whether the source of the fear actually exists, or if it’s just in your head.
Try to see your surroundings as they are rather than let your mind influence what your eyes perceive.
- Breathe deeply.
When we truly feel in danger, our hearts race due to extra blood being pumped throughout our body, and this puts an enormous strain on us as a result. If you feel a panic attack or any sort of anxiety coming on, stop it in its tracks by taking a few controlled, slow breaths. That will automatically make you feel more relaxed and scare off any fear you might have felt.
- Move your body.
All of that energy needs somewhere to go, and what better way to release it than by making your body sweat and improving your health. Remember that fear and anxiety carry heavy energy along with them, and you can counter that by making your energy lighter through exercise. Do something you love, make sure you incorporate exercise into your daily routine .Exercise is still one of the best scientifically proven ways to alleviate anxiety.
- Listen to calming music.
If you feel anxiety coming on at work or in a public place, put in your headphones and turn on music that puts your nerves at ease for a little while. Music takes you away from whatever you’re dealing with in the present moment, and allows you to decompress and recharge your batteries.
- Talk about your feelings with someone you trust.
Many a times, others can dissect our emotions and give us an outside opinion about whether we really should feel afraid of something or not. Getting a fresh perspective might also shift your own viewpoint and allow the stress to leave your body by releasing any pent up emotions. Everyone needs some sort of outlet for their feelings, so don’t hesitate to call upon a loved one or dear friend for support.
- Celebrate your life.
Take a few minutes out of your day to do a happy dance about everything you’ve been blessed with in your life. Notice how any fear or anxiety melts away when you give more attention to what you love rather than what you feel stressed or fearful about.
- Focus on the reality you DO want.
If you feel anxious or afraid, pay attention to your thoughts. Most likely, your dominant thinking patterns revolve around things you don’t like or what you want to change about your current reality. By continually mulling over what you don’t want, you will only see more of the same. Instead, shift your thinking into what you actually do want to see so that your surroundings become more cheerful, safe, and less threatening to you.
