Fact: There is nothing less relaxing than when someone tells you to “Relax!” They may have the best of intentions, but their less-than-helpful advice sounds more like a stress-inducing command. When we’re anxious, overwhelmed, or stressed, the last thing we need is more pressure to change our state. Here are 5 counter-intuitive strategies to help you cope:
1. Stop trying to relax.
Just notice the tension without trying to change it. How does it feel in your body? Where do you feel it? Take a deep breath and allow yourself to just be. Validate yourself by saying “It’s perfectly fine to feel the way I feel.”
