Anxiety can be debilitating. That feeling of dread, the inability to concentrate or irritability can stop you in your tracks. Anxiety can have physical symptoms as well. You may experience headaches and muscle aches, you may not be able to sleep. or you may have trouble catching your breath. If you have noticed any of these symptoms, it is most likely that you are suffering from anxiety. The following three steps are ways to release anxiety and get back to being you.

Deep Breathing Exercises

One of the best ways to release anxiety is to practice some deep breathing exercises. To do these exercises, first take a deep breath and hold it for 3 to 4 seconds. Now exhale slowly and wait a few seconds and begin again with another deep breath. Do this several times a day, or whenever the anxiety begins to build.

Muscle Relaxation

Another great way to release anxiety is to work at relaxing the muscles of you body. When we get stressed we tend to tighten our muscles and this can lead to headaches and muscles aches. Starting with you shoulders, concentrate on your muscles and focus on relaxing the muscle until it feels like you are a limp doll. Do this one area at a time until you have worked all the way down to your toes. By the time you have worked down through your body, your anxiety should be more manageable.

Visualization

It may sound silly, but visualize your happy place. Close your eyes and take your mind away from whatever is causing your anxiety and visualize yourself in the place that most makes you happy. Picture yourself in this place, and doing your most enjoyable activities. Let yourself remain in this mental happy place for a few minutes before you try to continue your day.

The three steps listed above are the best ways to release anxiety. Each of these techniques can be used individually, but with practice you should be able to combine all three steps, allowing yourself to breathe deeply, relax your muscles and visualize a more tranquil environment at the same time.