2626: 8 Tools to Get Control of your Anxiety by Rachel Shanken of Mind Body Wise on Neuroscience
Feb 18, 2024
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Discover 8 practical tools from anxiety expert Rachel Shanken such as visualization, grounding, forest bathing, and creative activities to provide immediate relief without deep introspection. Explore techniques like playing the if-then game, connecting to the body, and engaging the senses to manage anxiety naturally and find individual preferences for anxiety relief.
Engage in physical adjustments and creative activities to manage anxiety in the moment.
Experiment with various techniques to find personalized strategies for effective anxiety control.
Deep dives
Tools for Anxiety Control
Anxiety can feel overwhelming and difficult to manage, but there are tangible tools that can help. One approach is to keep your gaze at or below eye level, as looking up can activate your nervous system. Another tool is getting connected to your body through conscious and mindful movements, such as grounding your feet on the floor. Breathing techniques, like one-two breathing with visualization, can also calm your system down by counting inhalations and exhalations. Looking at repeating patterns in nature or art, known as fractals, has been shown to have a calming effect on the brain. Additionally, grounding your body by laying on the floor or being near trees and plant life can reduce anxiety. Engaging in creative activities and staying present in the moment can also help to alleviate anxiety symptoms.
Experimenting with Anxiety Control
Finding effective tools for managing anxiety is a personal journey. Not all techniques will work for everyone, and it may take experimentation to discover what works best for you. Trying different tools can provide insights into what helps and what doesn't. Just knowing what doesn't work can be valuable in guiding future choices. This applies to anxiety management, just like with finding the right diet. It's important to try different approaches and see what resonates with your body and what you can stick to. Experimentation is key in finding the most effective strategies for your personal anxiety control.
The Importance of Personalized Anxiety Control
Anxiety control is a highly individual process, and what works for one person may not work for another. It is essential to recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for managing anxiety. Each person's experience with anxiety is unique, and finding effective tools requires self-reflection and mindful exploration. The journey towards anxiety control involves trial and error, identifying what techniques bring relief and what exacerbates symptoms. By remaining open-minded and receptive to new approaches, individuals can gain valuable insights into their anxiety and develop personalized strategies that promote mental well-being.
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Episode 2626:
Rachel Shanken of MindBodyWise.com shares eight practical tools to manage anxiety, offering immediate relief without the need for deep introspection in the moment. These strategies range from simple physical adjustments to engaging in creative activities, all designed to help you regain control and find comfort.
"Science has proven that looking at repeating patterns in nature, art or architecture can create a calming effect on your brain, thereby calming your body."