3 Tips For Self-Soothing With Dr. Amen

 Anxiety is a natural response to stressful situations. Many people experience anxiety, but they don't always know how to handle it. If you have issues with anxiety, don't feel like you're alone. Instead of letting your anxiety get the best of you, Dr. Amen has some tips to share to work on self-soothing. Dr. Amen is a psychiatrist and brain imaging specialist who has authored several books on mental health, including his most recent release, "The Brain in Love." He's also the founder of Amen Clinics, which provide treatment for a wide range of mental health disorders. Here are his tips for reducing your anxiety…

3 Tips For Self-Soothing With Dr. Amen

1. Use the power of your mind to heal yourself

As you know, our thoughts and beliefs can have a profound effect on us physically, emotionally and mentally. You can use this knowledge to heal your brain by changing what you tell it. For example, if you are feeling stressed or anxious, say something like “I am calm” or “I am relaxed.” If you think that saying these things will not work then try them anyway because they may surprise you!

2. Practice mindfulness

This involves bringing attention back to what is happening in the present moment. For example, when experiencing anxiety, take notice of how your body feels tense or uncomfortable. When thoughts begin racing through your mind while trying not to think about anything at all (another form of mindfulness), focus on counting numbers from one through ten aloud—this will bring you back into the present moment without forcing yourself too hard! This can reduce stress hormones and calm negative emotions by allowing you to focus on the present moment instead of ruminating about the past or worrying about future events.

3. Give yourself permission to self-soothe

To help you soothe yourself and turn off the anxiety, you need to give yourself permission to do it. The next time your anxious feelings come up, try this little exercise: Close your eyes and take a deep breath in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth. Then cross your arms over your body as if you’re giving yourself a hug and rub your arms with your hands. This is known as havening. Dr. Amer says that doing 30-60 seconds of this self-soothing tactic calms the neurological fear centers by stimulating both sides of the brain.I hope you found these tips helpful in managing your anxiety. If you or someone you know is struggling with an anxiety disorder, please don't hesitate to reach out for help. You can get the assistance and support of a professional who can help you manage these symptoms and your life in general. 

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For more of Dr. Amen incredible tips for anxiety, depression, and more - check out our latest episode with him!

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