Wrap Up

Wow! Can you believe how fast these 30 days have flown? We’ve reached the end of the 30 Day Decrease Anxiety & Depression Challenge, and I sincerely hope you’re feeling more in control of your anxious mind and that you’ve gained a toolkit of real strategies you can use to feel better despite occasional bouts of anxiety.

We’ve covered a ton of information in this short 30 days. You may need to go back through it to remember some of the advice and action steps. That’s okay. In fact, it’s really a smart idea to review the information from time to time so that you can keep your favourite strategies at your fingertips for use when you need them most.

No matter how much anxiety you’re facing, there are things you can do all by yourself to lessen it. Seeing a mental health professional is also recommended if you need expert guidance and support to handle your level of discomfort. But knowing that you have the power to lessen your own discomfort related to stress, anxiety or overwhelm is pretty darn empowering.

You’ve learned what anxiety is, the ways it affects your brain and how to recognize it. That’s all a great foundation for understanding this toxic condition that can take hold of our lives. You also now understand the impact anxiousness can have on your job, relationships and overall happiness. It’s serious business.

You don’t have to feel overwhelmed, though, because you now know several coping mechanisms for diminishing those awful feelings that come along with anxiety. You can recognize it creeping up on you and know how to frame it in a realistic way. Strategies like deep breathing, exercising, visualization and eating well are things that can be used to maintain a more positive frame of mind with higher energy levels and to stop anxiety in its tracks when it catches you off guard.

Using calming techniques, taking control of your finances and environment, practicing gratitude and beating procrastination are also active methods to reduce anxiety.

Finally, please remember that you don’t have to face anxiety and stress on your own. Rely on your support network to help you through the tough times. Get out there and be social, even when you feel overwhelmed by the world. As social creatures, we need to interact with others. Let them help you, make you smile and heal you. Giving of yourself to others is also a way to lessen your fears and put things into perspective.

Which of these 30 days of exercises has resonated with you the most? Which seem like they will fit into your lifestyle and mesh with your personality? These are the ones you should add to your anxiety toolkit first. When a strategy makes sense to you, it will be easier to implement. Once you begin to gain confidence and feel that you can impact the way you’re feeling, add some other techniques to the mix. Keep what works. Toss what doesn’t, after giving it a fair shot and practicing the method for a bit. I truly hope you feel more control over your anxiety and are ready to face the world with more confidence, peace and enthusiasm.

 Reflect On How Far You’ve Come

Let’s take a quick walk down memory lane and browse through all the different topics we covered over the past 29 days. Here’s a quick rundown:

1. Welcome And The Many Dangers Of Anxiety
2. Anxiety Can Be Quite Debilitating
3. The Physical Side of Anxiety
4. Recognizing Anxiety Quickly
5. Being Anxious vs. Anxiety Attacks
6. Don’t Panic – Take A Deep Breath
7. Ask Yourself: What’s The Worst That Could Happen?
8. Breathing Exercises To Calm Your Nervous System
9. Do You Have A Support System In Place?
10. Go For A Walk To Reduce Stress And Prevent Anxiety
11. Stress Makes It Worse
12. Is Mental Clutter Adding To Your Anxiety?
13. Create A Calm Down Ritual For Yourself
14. The Huge Benefits Of Meditation To Reduce Anxiety
15. Calming Scents That Mellow You Out
16. How A Day Planner Can Reduce Stress & Anxiety
17. Combat Anxiety With Regular Exercise
18. The Relationship Between Certain Foods And Anxiety
19. Using Visualization To Calm Down
20. Getting More Sleep Can Help
21. Gratitude Fights Anxiety
22. Have You Tried Yoga?
23. Practice Self Care
24. Find Your Spirituality
25. Skip The Caffeine
26. Get Your Finances In Order
27. Eat That Frog
28. Declutter Your Home
29. Get Social And Smile More
30. Wrap Up

What has had the biggest impact on you? What tips and ideas have you found the most helpful? Those are the posts that you want to come back to again and again.

Take a few minutes today to reflect on not only how far you’ve come, but more importantly how this simple 30 day challenge has influenced you and changed you for the better. What positive experiences have you had as a result of implementing some of these strategies?

For more information, tools, techniques and tips visit www.SelfPathfinder.com.  Please share this link with anyone you think might find this information helpful.