Move! Motion creates emotion. Get out of your head, where the anxiety is born.
Anxiety is created in your head. Physical activity is perhaps the best way to get out of your head.
When you work out, the body produces more endorphins, the happiness hormone. Some say that working out gives more emotional benefits than anti-depressants. That if it was sold on a pill, it would be the most popular pill in the world.
Fear and anxiety is created in your head. So when we get too wrapped up in our minds we get anxious and depressed. The mind is important. The mind has an amazing ability to judge and compare options, so that we can make the choices that best serves us. But the side-effect is that that it’s also judging our self-worth.
Your head/mind is a good tool for navigating the world, but it’s not the best leader. Fulfillment, which is the goal for most people, can’t be found on a map. The mind can’t find it. It doesn’t do the greatest job at telling you who you are. It’ll keep judging, and it won’t be satisfied for long. The mind is not a source for unconditional love. So when you feel that the mind has gotten too much territory, when the voices in your head are loud, it’s time to start doing things that’ll get you out of your head.
Moving is a great way to get out of your head because you get into your body.
Here’s another thing. Getting out of your head will also help you with whatever the frustration is.
When the mind has a problem it thinks it needs to get even more involved. But the mind is it’s own enemy. It’s criticism stops the creativity that’s needed to solve the problem. If you’re doing improv, the last place you should be is in your head.
If I’m frustrated about something that needs cognitive focus, my mind wants to keep working at it until it’s done. But that leads to more frustration and less clarity to solve the problem. I’ve found that the best thing is to actually get OUT of the head, preferably for a good body workout, and come back at it later when the head is clear. I look at the problem with new eyes and I often instantly know what to do.