Laughter and Other Ways to get Relief from Anxiety

Creating new programs for our hypnosis mp3 download site is part of our mission here at DFC.  One of the other parts is giving you tools to live a more successful life.  That is what inspired today’s post.

It’s a crazy world we’re living in.  If you watch the news or listen to the radio, it seems everyone is telling you to panic because the world is falling apart.  This is a great way to get ratings but not very helpful to actually solving any problems.

I’ve always felt that the more relaxed and grounded you are, the better chance you have to actually do some good in the world.  Like Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”  I think a great way to be the change, is to become the eye of the storm.  Completely calm, with clear blue skies, while the storm blows around you.

So, today I thought I’d give you some tips on how to remain calm in the midst of a storm.

1. Breath

Your breath is the most powerful tool you have for grounding yourself and quickly calming and quieting the mind.  Here is one technique that I love:

Sit upright either on a chair or cross-legged on the floor.  Gently close your eyes.  Inhale to a count of 5, hold your breath for a count of 5, exhale for a count of 5.  Repeat a minimum of 10 times.  As you get better at this exercise, increase your count to 10, 15, or 20.

2. Get Creative

You have a great big brain in your head that loves to create systems that lead to a resolution or a solution.  This is great for problem solving, but terrible when you’re feeling anxious or stressed out.  When this process tries to solve emotional problems it creates what I call blender brain.

Getting in touch with your creative side can give this processor a break and allow your subconscious to start working on your emotions.  Write, draw, paint, sing or even puzzles (I love Sudoku) can activate your creative, imaginative part of your mind and allow your heart to process the emotion.

3. Laughter

Laughter is a great antidote to anxiety.  It releases energy, produces endorphins and allows you to see events from a new perspective.  Practice laughing at your fears.  When you find yourself imagining a future event that is unpleasant, laugh at yourself for imagining things that haven’t happened yet.  As you’re laughing, say out loud, “That’s not true.  That didn’t happen.  I’m just imagining that.”  This is a great way to interrupt an old pattern of worry.

See if there is a laughter yoga class in your area.  If not, go online to get information about how to form a group in your area.  Laughing with a group is one of the most therapeutic things we can do.  Rent a funny movie or episodes of your favorite sitcom and laugh your way out of your stress.

Another way to process stress and anxiety is to check out our great hypnosis mp3 program, Freedom From Anxiety.  Not only does it include more helpful lifestyle action steps like the ones above, but it also gives your our awesome 8-track program for finally overcoming your anxiety and living confidently.