7 Exercises to Reduce Anxiety and Depression

by | Jul 17, 2017 | Recipes for the Soul | 0 comments

Week of July 16, 2017…

Mental Care –  7  Exercises to Reduce Anxiety and Depression

For people that have never experienced mental health issues, depression and anxiety can be difficult to understand. People who experience mood disorders know how crippling these feelings can be. Panic attacks and suicidal thoughts are the most dangerous symptoms of these disorders. While medicines are available to help combat these symptoms, they often can have side-effects. Sometimes, the best way to deal with long-term anxiety and depression is to practice these seven daily mental health exercises. However, always seek the advice of a professional and board certified therapist and/or physician for treatment options.

  1. Make Positive Lists

Self-hate is a major component of depression. All sufferers experience this feeling in some capacity. The best thing to do when you have these thoughts is to keep a running list in a place where you will always see it. And, every time you do something that you are proud of, write it down too. When someone says something nice about you, write that down! When you are feeling your worst, look at your list of positivity and remember that negativity is transient.

      2.  Set Long Term Goals

Stress and anxiety can ruin motivation and cause bouts of inertia that go on for months at a time. To combat the inertia that comes with mental health disorders, set a long-term goal. It might seem like the worst time to take on a huge project, but it’s the exact opposite. Pursuing a long-term goal that you are passionate about will occupy your thoughts with something positive and get you looking forward to the future. Try not to pick something that will stress you out too much. The goal right now is to get your mind off the feelings of stress and panic that you’ve been experiencing.

  1. Understand Your Triggers

Sufferers of anxiety and depression have triggers. Triggers can be words, emotions or situations that cause them to experience their mental disorder in full-force. Triggers can be anything from rain storms to abusive situations or words. By recognizing your trigger, you’ll be able to avoid it or prepare for it.

  1. Meditate

One of the best ways to cope with negative emotions is to meditate. Sometimes it can be difficult to pull yourself out of the physical world and relax, but with

patience, it can be liberating.  Monitor your day and understand when you are likely to experience the most stress. Is it after the morning commute? Arrive to work a few minutes early and meditate. You might experience the most stress after work. Come home, play some relaxing music and take some time to relax and focus your mind. Another great habit is to meditate right before bed. Your body will get ready for sleep and you’ll be more relaxed and prepared for a good night’s rest.

 

 

  1. Reward Yourself

Every time you complete a goal, reward yourself.  Because inertia is so common with depression and anxiety, getting motivated can be tricky. Stay focused on goals with rewards. They can be anything from your favorite meal to a vacation. You have to stay motivated in whatever ways you can and treating yourself isn’t a bad way to do it.

  1. Say No to Self-Hate

Self-hate can be an overpowering feeling. We are often so desensitized that we chastise or dismiss ourselves without realizing the ramifications. Saying no to self-hate is a critical part of the healing process. Watch yourself for negative thoughts about your personality, body, strength or worth and then say no to it. Sometimes, it can be hard to say no to these strong voices, but by just saying it, you’ll start to feel yourself growing stronger.

  1. Find a Creative Outlet

Studies have shown that most sufferers of anxiety and depression are also highly creative. If you aren’t, you should still try to find a creative outlet. Writing, drawing, painting, cooking, graphic design or crafting are all great ways to unleash your creativity. Engaging in a creative activity is shown to reduce stress and improve mood. While you might not always enjoy creative activities, you might actually find one you like even if it’s making little paper flowers, writing a poem or making graphic art on your laptop!

 

Written by:  Jane Grates of monicashealthmag.com