I know that anxiety can be extremely overwhelming, especially right now when the outcome of the Coronavirus pandemic is uncertain. But hopefully these three inventive ways to minimize your anxiety can help you feel more grounded and stress-free.
1. Play a Video Game
or any new gaming console.
For me, video games are the best way to get my mind off of what’s going on in the world around me.
More skilled video game players might try an immersive role-playing game like The Witcher 3 or a first-person shooter like Borderlands 3. These games can be violent and intense, so if you are new to games, these might not be the best games to start out with.
If you are new to gaming, try a relaxing game like Stardew Valley. I can vouch that when you’re playing Stardew Valley, you don’t realize how long you’ve actually been playing; all of a sudden, four hours have gone by and it’s dark outside. This is a great, stress-free game that will leave you feeling accomplished.
If you don’t want to spend any money on a game, you can try out Gravitas for free. Yes, for free. This game doesn’t take long to complete, but the humor and the puzzles will keep your mind off your stressors for at least a few hours.
2. Write It Out
Writing is a known therapeutic practice for a reason. It’s highly effective.
If you’re experienced with writing, try to get creative – channel your emotions into a song, poem, or short story. Put what you’re feeling into the brain of a character and run with it.
If you don’t like creative writing or don’t know where to start with it, try jotting down your thoughts in a journal (here’s a guided journal) or in a Google doc on the computer. It doesn’t have to be pretty. No one else is going to see it besides you.
The goal here is to get your thoughts out of your head and onto a piece of paper (or a computer screen).
3. Change Up Your Bedroom
When I say change up your bedroom, I don’t mean paint the walls a different color or buy all new bedding (though you can if you want to or have the budget for it).
What I mean is, take some time to straighten your room a little bit and move around your bedroom furniture. Put your bed on a different wall or in the corner. Move your dresser to a different wall. Move around the decorative items on your dressers and your nightstands. Give your stuff new life.
I cannot tell you how many times I have done this when my mood is just in a really weird place and it works. There’s something about moving my furniture around that tricks my brain into thinking it’s a new space and I’m a new me in that space.
Wrapping It Up
There are many ways to help reduce anxious feelings, but if you don’t feel like taking a relaxing lavender bath or practicing mindful meditation, give one of these three unique methods a try.
Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried one of these methods before and if it it worked for you!