5 Self-Calming Exercises for Anxiety

Anxiety is a common mental health disorder affecting millions of individuals across the U.S. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, over 1.8 million individuals in Pennsylvania struggle with anxiety, depression, or other mental health disorders. While there is no single cure-all pill, many people learn how to live with their anxiety after enrolling in a mental health treatment facility and developing new coping techniques. They are set up to aid patients’ mental health and teach them healthy coping skills to prevent future panic attacks and any desire to abuse drugs or alcohol.

At Arkview Recovery Center, we support individuals struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety, or other types of anxiety disorders. Our facility provides an anxiety treatment program for individuals whose anxiety is causing significant disruption in their lives or fueling a dangerous addiction to prescription or illicit drugs. Patients will participate in group and private therapy sessions while receiving medication to ease any symptoms interfering with recovery. For more information about the five self-calming exercises for anxiety and how they can benefit recovery, call 717.744.0756 today to speak with one of our knowledgeable team members.

How Can Mental Exercise for Anxiety Help?

There are several mental exercises for anxiety that you can do to ease anxiety symptoms and stop them from causing hyperventilation, rapid heart rates, and other common anxiety symptoms. These exercises include things like deep breathing, yoga, meditation, and physical and sensory distraction techniques that can keep you in the present moment.

Mental exercises for anxiety can ease symptoms of anxiety and stop the endless loop of negative self-talk or obsessing over past or future events. It can also improve sleep patterns, reduces stress and inflammation, improves concentration, and decreases the risk of developing other serious health complications, such as addiction or worsening anxiety symptoms.

Arkview Recovery’s anxiety treatment programs utilize the best calming exercise for anxiety and panic attacks in a safe and discreet environment. Patients can focus on their recovery far away from common life distractions and the people or situations that trigger their anxiety.

5 Self-Calming Exercises for Anxiety

The best calming exercise for anxiety and panic attacks are unique to the individual and their specific type of anxiety. During therapy, patients will work with a therapist to identify which self-calming exercises are best for their condition and practice them with their peers.

Here are five self-calming exercises for anxiety and panic attacks:

1. Breathing exercises

One of the best ways to calm down during an anxiety attack is through deep breathing techniques. The slow, methodical breathing practices will reduce rapid heart rates and stop racing thoughts. These techniques have been used for years and produce many positive effects that include:

• Eases stress
• Improves your immune system
• Increases energy
• Lowers blood pressure
• Improves digestion
• Positive self-talk

This calming technique can stop negative self-talk and behaviors by repeating simple positive statements like “I am in control of my anxiety” and “I can cope with any situation or person.” You can repeat any positive statement that works best for you whenever you feel anxiety symptoms peaking.

2. Positive self-talk

This calming technique can stop negative self-talk and behaviors by repeating simple positive statements like “I am in control of my anxiety” and “I can cope with any situation or person.” You can repeat any positive statement that works best for you whenever you feel anxiety symptoms peaking.

3. Take a hike

Physical exercise is a great way to release pent-up energy due to building stress levels and anxiety. A quick five-minute walk around the office can help you relax and focus on the task at hand. Including regular walks or hikes in the evening can improve your sleep patterns, reduces stress, and provide many other health benefits.

4. Repeating mantras

Meditation is a very effective practice for treating anxiety and showing patients how to obtain a deeper awareness of self. Guided meditation gives them short mantras to repeat during meditation or when their anxiety symptoms increase.

5. Nightly journaling

This practice allows you to review the day’s events when you are relaxed. You can write about stressful moments and techniques to calm down. This will enable you to find and fine-tune the calming exercises that best work for the situation.

The best calming exercises for anxiety and panic attacks differ for everyone. During therapy sessions, therapists will teach patients different self-calming activities to try out at work and home until they find the best self-calming exercises for their specific symptoms.

Arkview Recovery Offers Comprehensive Anxiety Treatment Programs

At Arkview Recovery Center, we welcome anyone struggling with anxiety and needing assistance managing their symptoms and reducing panic attacks. We teach our patients the latest self-calming exercises for anxiety and work closely with them to develop the best techniques to relieve their symptoms. Our programs use a combination of behavioral and holistic therapies and medical support to create a more effective recovery experience.

If anxiety is disrupting your work or personal life, call 717.744.0756 today to speak with one of our team members about enrolling in our mental health treatment facility.