With the amount of stress founders take on, it is inevitable that anxiety will get the best of you. Good news is that it is completely normal. Each human only has so much emotional bandwidth to work with.
The biggest challenge with anxiety is finding a way to break your toxic thought cycle. By diverting your attention away from the negative, you give your mind the ability to reset.
When these feelings creep in, it’s important to have an outlet to release that energy. But sometimes you may find yourself trapped at your desk or in your office. There is no need to panic. These three tips can help lower your anxiety levels from your desk.
Deep Breathing
The 4-7-8 breathing technique is a breathing pattern that looks to reduce anxiety or help people get to sleep. Follow these steps:
- Breath in for 4 seconds
- Hold for breath for 7 seconds
- Exhale for 8 seconds.
Count to 3-3-3
A major player when it comes to anxiety is the negative thought loop. Acting as a mental and physical reset, this cycle can often be broken by playing the 3-3-3 game. It’s rather simple:
- Name 3 things you see.
- Identify 3 sounds you hear.
- Move 3 parts of your body.
- Rinse and Repeat.
Laughter
It’s corny, but true: laughter is the best medicine. Find a content creator or comedian who never fails to make you giggle. Your body reacts to laughter by triggering a release of endorphins, helps muscles relax, lowers blood pressure, and much more.
Last Resort: Change Your Setting
When all else fails, you may be forced to move to a new space. Whether you excuse yourself to use the restroom or grab something from your car, find a reason to exit the room you are currently occupying. Adjusting to new environments allows your mind and body to get back to zero.