Feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious is something we all experience. Here are some strategies that have helped me and might help you too:
Take Deep Breaths
One of the easiest and most effective things you can do is take deep, mindful breaths. Focus on the breath itself and notice how the air fills your lungs. Doing so slows your body down, helping you relax. Deep breathing also slows your thinking just enough to help you calm down because your mind becomes more focused on the action of breathing and less on what you were previously thinking about.
Meditate
Similar to deep breathing, close your eyes and focus on your breath. Notice the pattern and how it sounds. This distracts your brain from thinking other thoughts. Do this for as long as you need until you feel okay again. If you have time, I recommend meditating for about 10 minutes as this can reset your mind to a neutral state. I have a guide on why meditation is so beneficial and how to do it if you are interested in learning more.
Go for a Walk
It feels great to move your body, especially outdoors where you can be around nature. Nature has an alluring way of calming the mind that you can’t get anywhere else. Even a 5 to 10-minute walk will help ground you and make you feel more at peace.
Exercise
If you have access to a gym, exercising is a great way to get rid of excess energy. It can be intimidating at first, but it becomes easier once you start going more frequently. Exercise helps reduce distraction and restlessness.
Journal
Writing through your thoughts helps you process what your mind is worrying about. It’s also a great way to read back your thoughts and make more sense of your stress and worries. If you have never journaled before or are unsure about whether you should, I have an easy guide on how to start.
Do Something You Love
Sometimes you just need a distraction. Engaging in passions or hobbies is a fun way to decompress and stop yourself from overthinking. Anything is a hobby if you enjoy doing it, and if you’re having fun, then nothing is a waste of time.