Let’s be honest—stress and anxiety are part of life. Between work, family, and just trying to juggle everything, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. And while the usual advice like “exercise more” or “try meditation” works for some, it doesn’t always cut it. If you’re like me, you might be looking for more creative and less conventional ways to manage stress and anxiety—because let’s face it, we need tools that fit into real life.
In this post, I’ll share some uncommon yet highly effective ways that can help you combat stress and anxiety. These approaches are designed to be simple, practical, and adaptable to your unique needs. Some of these methods may surprise you, but that’s the beauty of exploring new ways to feel better.
The Power of “Creative Worry Time”
We’ve all been told not to worry, but here’s a twist—what if I told you that worrying could actually help reduce anxiety? It might sound counterintuitive but setting aside dedicated worry time is a surprisingly effective strategy.
Here’s how it works: Set aside 15–20 minutes each day where you allow yourself to worry about everything that’s bothering you. Write down all your anxious thoughts and give yourself permission to fully dive into them during this time. Once the time is up, stop. This process helps contain the constant flood of worries, preventing them from creeping into every moment of your day.
Why does this work? By scheduling worry time, you give your brain a designated space to express anxiety without it spilling over into the rest of your life. Plus, writing down your worries can help take away their power over you.
Change Your Breath to Change Your Brain
We’ve all heard about deep breathing, but I want to introduce you to a specific technique that can really help shift your brain out of “panic mode.” It’s called the physiological sigh, and it’s a simple, two-step breathing method that’s proven to calm the nervous system.
Here’s how you do it:
Take two sharp inhales through your nose, one immediately after the other.
Follow it with a slow, extended exhale through your mouth.
This double inhale allows your lungs to fully inflate and clear out carbon dioxide more efficiently, which naturally helps calm your body. Repeat this process a few times, and you’ll notice a real shift in how you feel—almost like a reset button for your brain.
The best part? You can do this anywhere, anytime—whether you’re sitting in traffic, prepping for a meeting, or just trying to wind down after a long day.
Forest Bathing—No Hiking Boots Required
You don’t have to be an outdoor enthusiast to benefit from forest bathing, a Japanese practice called “Shinrin-yoku.” This method isn’t about hiking or exercising but simply immersing yourself in nature and allowing your senses to take it all in.
Research shows that spending time in green spaces can reduce cortisol levels, lower blood pressure, and even boost your immune system. If you have access to a park, forest, or even a quiet backyard, spend time there. Engage your senses: listen to the birds, feel the breeze, touch the leaves, and just be in the moment.
Even if you don’t live near a forest, indoor plants or a short walk through a local park can still provide these calming benefits. The key is to disconnect from screens and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells of nature—your mind and body will thank you.
Use “Anchoring” to Stay Grounded
When stress or anxiety strikes, it’s easy to feel like you’re spinning out of control. Anchoring is a simple mental trick that helps you stay grounded in the present moment, reducing anxiety and stress.
To practice anchoring, focus on one specific sensation or object around you—something solid, real, and calming. For example, if you’re at home, this could be the feel of your favorite blanket or the sound of a ticking clock. By intentionally focusing on a physical sensation or object, you give your brain something stable to hold onto, helping to pull you out of anxious thoughts.
I personally love the feeling of warm tea in my hands when I’m stressed. It helps me feel grounded and brings me back to the present moment.
Dance it Out—Literally
Okay, bear with me on this one. Dancing can be a surprisingly powerful tool to release stress and anxiety. You don’t have to be good at it (trust me, I’m not entering any dance competitions soon), but the simple act of moving your body to music can help break up stagnant energy and release feel-good hormones like endorphins.
Pick a favorite song and move however you feel—whether it’s in your living room or your kitchen while making dinner. It doesn’t matter how you look, and you don’t need a routine—just get moving. The physical movement, combined with the joy of music, can help shift your mood in ways you might not expect.
And the best part? It’s free, fun, and a perfect way to shake off a rough day.
Talk to Yourself—Kindly
Self-talk often gets a bad rap, but when done correctly, talking to yourself in a kind and supportive way can reduce stress and anxiety.
Try this the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed: speak to yourself as you would to a close friend going through a tough time. Phrases like “It’s okay, you’re doing your best” or “This moment will pass” can shift your internal dialogue and provide a much-needed mental break from harsh self-criticism.
The key here is to catch yourself when negative self-talk starts and consciously reframe it with more supportive, gentle words. You’ll be amazed at how this small change can have a big impact on your mental state.
Sensory Distraction: Engage All Five Senses
When anxiety spikes, it’s often because we’re trapped in our thoughts. One effective way to interrupt this cycle is by using a sensory distraction technique that engages all five of your senses.
Here’s a quick example:
Sight: Look around and name five things you can see.
Sound: Identify four distinct sounds you can hear.
Touch: Notice three things you can physically feel (like the texture of your clothing).
Smell: Identify two different scents around you.
Taste: Acknowledge one taste in your mouth, even if it’s just your coffee or gum.
This technique pulls you out of your head and grounds you in the present moment, helping to quiet racing thoughts and ease anxiety. I’ve found this method to be especially helpful during high-stress situations when it feels like my mind is going a mile a minute.
Try a Brain Dump
If your mind is racing with tasks, worries, or just random thoughts, try a brain dump—literally write everything down on paper. It doesn’t need to be structured or organized; just get every thought out of your head and onto the page.
By externalizing your thoughts, you can relieve some of the pressure they’re creating. It’s like clearing mental clutter, and once everything is down in front of you, it’s easier to prioritize or let go of what’s not important. Plus, it gives you a clearer view of what’s truly causing your stress or anxiety.
Final Thoughts
The truth is, managing stress and anxiety isn’t one-size-fits-all. What works for one person might not work for another, and that’s okay. The key is to keep exploring and find what resonates with you. Whether it’s scheduling worry time, taking a few minutes to practice the physiological sigh, or dancing it out to your favorite song, the important thing is to have tools that fit into your life.
Remember, you’re not alone in this. Stress and anxiety are common, but with the right strategies in place, they don’t have to run your life. I hope these uncommon approaches give you a few new ideas to try. Take what works, leave what doesn’t, and most importantly—be kind to yourself along the way.
If you’re looking for more personalized support in managing stress, anxiety, or any other mental health concern, I’m here to help. Let’s work together to create a plan that fits you.
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