A professional and compassionate full-service counseling center in Northern New Jersey and New York City for over 35 years | (201) 467-4173
There’s little quarrel with the fact that we live in challenging times. The pace of everyday life, the stresses of a digital world that connects us everywhere we go, and the demands for instant gratification all combine to create pressures that can be overwhelming. The licensed, experienced therapist at Mars & Venus Counseling Center works with patients to develop coping skills that can help sidestep many of the anxiety producing traps, and to de-stress situations before they spiral out of control.
Working together in a safe, private space, we peel away the layers to reveal the root causes of our patients’ emotions, and create a framework for breaking the patterns of behavior stemming from these anxiety provoking responses.
Here are a few suggestions for maintaining calmness in the face of situations that prompt anxiety:
Concentrate on your breathing. Anxiety often causes us to take shallow breaths, which can send signals to the brain and body. To counteract this, try taking deep breaths, exhaling deeply after each one.
Think through the thought that’s causing the feelings of anxiety. Anxious thoughts are often irrational once they are challenged by probing the reality of the situation.
Get moving. Exercise is an effective way to de-stress. Going for a walk, a jog, or engaging in another activity will release serotonin, a mood-changing chemical. The act of physically removing oneself from a place or situation that’s causing anxiety is a great way to shift one’s focus.
Don’t shoulder the burden. When we feel anxious, we tense up our shoulders, back and posture. Dropping the shoulders and drawing in a series of deep breaths can realign the body and mind.
Remember that you don’t have to face it alone. Our therapist at Mars & Venus Counseling Center understands how overwhelming life can feel. Together we can work to break the chains of anxiety and embrace the resulting freedom. Please contact us to arrange a confidential session.
By New Jersey Centers for Counseling
November 29, 2022