When anxiety hits you, it knocks the wind out of your sails.
You can’t think straight. Your motivation dries up. Everything becomes dull. The color drains from the world around you, and all becomes gray.
If you’re lucky, this anxiety attack “only” ruins your day.
As in, you won’t say or do something you cannot take back, hurt someone who is close to you, or create irreversible damage in your life.
Thankfully, there are simple things you can do when anxiety first rears its ugly head. Simple measures that let you retake control and get your groove back.
And in only a few minutes. Not hours.
One of these is something you have no doubt heard before. In fact, your doctor has probably recommended it to you. Although I’d bet my bottom dollar that he or she didn’t tell you how effective and life-changing it can be.
What about the other two?
You will almost certainly NOT hear about these from your doctor. They fall outside the domain of medical science. Yet, among those who suffer from anxiety, depression, and PTSD, their power to heal is undisputed.
So, without further ado, here they are — three little-known ways to reduce anxiety and depression in just a few minutes (not months).
1. Emotional Freedom Technique (AKA “tapping”)
In some circles, EFT is referred to as “psychological acupuncture”. It’s based on the belief that all pain and negative emotions are, at the deepest level, caused by the disruption of energy flowing around the body.
You see, according to this belief, our bodies contain a number of “meridian points”. You might think of them as “energy junctions” for our vital organs. In acupuncture, healers use needles to put pressure on these points so as to open them up again, much like how you or I might squeeze a kinked garden hose to get the water flowing again. Science cannot explain how this all works, but anybody who ever tried acupuncture will vouch for its effectiveness.
EFT is simply another way to put pressure on these meridian points. Instead of using needles, you use the gentle tapping of your fingers.
When you feel an anxiety attack coming, just a few minutes of mindful tapping can help you shake off the dark cloud and get your mojo back.
I’ve recorded a short audio that talks you through a routine. (You might want to download it and keep it on your phone for the next time anxiety strikes.)
2. Qigong energy work
A Chinese mind-body technique, similar, in many ways, to yoga. It’s another way to get energy flowing around the body and restore balance to your mind and body. Again, science cannot explain how or why it helps. But it does.
Qigong Meditation has a wonderful video on YouTube that walks you through a 15-minute Shaolin Qigong routine. You should give it a try.
3. Physical exercise
This last one is the simplest. And, possibly, the most powerful.
Next time you feel that anxiety is starting to take a hold of you, get out your chair and stand up. Even better, get outside into the fresh air. Take yourself for a brisk walk. Run a few laps of your backyard. Do some jumping jacks.
Don’t scoff at this simple and “obvious” medicine.
We surveyed ~2,100 people who either suffer from anxiety and depression, are close to someone who does, or who work as a health practitioner.
Do you know what the majority of them said?
Out of all the different treatments for anxiety and depression that they had ever tried or recommended, exercise was one of the most effective.
It could change your life.
Or, at least, take the edge off your anxiety and help you breathe again.
* * *
There you have it.
EFT tapping. Qigong energy work,. And physical exercise. Three little-known ways to reduce anxiety and depression in just a few minutes.
Think of these as a relief valve for anxiety.
They can help you get out of a bad funk, and regain control of your day. However, if you really want to change your life, we need to address the deeper roots of your anxiety. And this is what our Upward Spiral Program is about. It walks you through how to reverse the course of anxiety and depression, by making one small breakthrough at a time.
There are dozens of new and promising ways to treat these conditions. For just $7 a month, you can learn about them straight from the lips of scientists and world-class practitioners. Better help is finally available. For everyone.
You can learn more about the Upward Spiral Program over here:
