Relaxation Tips

We all get stressed out from time to time and we need to relax. Here are a few tips on how to relax.

1. Sit down, close your eyes and slowly take 10 deep breaths. Slowly inhale through your nose feeling your abdomen, then slowly exhale through your mouth.
2. Take a warm bath with dim lights or candles and think about happy things in your life.
3. Go for a walk around your neighborhood, in the park, on the beach or at the mall. Light exercise like walking is very good for relaxing your body and mind.
4. Watch a comedy special or a comedy show.  It lowers cortisol, your body’s stress hormone, and boosts brain chemicals called endorphins, which help your mood.
5. Listen to some soothing music. Research shows that listening to soothing music can lower blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety.

Intrusive Thoughts

Many anxious people have  intrusive thoughts, which are frightening thoughts about what might happen to you or someone you care about, or what you might do to yourself or another person. They seem to come from outside of your control, and their content feels alien and threatening. For some people, intrusive thoughts are part of panic or anxiety. For example, you might think, “what if I have a heart attack?” in the midst of an anxiety attack. In addition, for some people, the content of intrusive thoughts can focus on sexual or violent images. People who experience these thoughts are afraid that they might commit the acts they picture in their mind. They might imagine hurting someone or committing an act of sexual violation.

If you are experiencing these thought  then call Star Point Counseling Center at 813-244-1251 to set an appointment to see one of our therapists so they can help you turn off the unwanted voices in your head.