Mental health experts agree that regular exercises can train your brain to let go of stress, stop over thinking and shift focus to the present moment. If you're looking for quick, effective ways to reduce anxiety, we’ve put together a series of five minute exercises that are perfect for a busy schedule. Incorporating these daily can help reduce worry and foster a sense of calm.
Visualization
Visualization is a powerful tool to redirect your mind from worry to peace by imagining a calming scene or memory. It activates the brain’s relaxation response and can help lower cortisol levels.
How to do it:
- Sit in a quiet space and close your eyes.
- Imagine a peaceful setting, such as a calm beach, a tranquil forest or a beautiful garden.
- Picture the details—what do you see, hear and feel? Engage all your senses in the imagery.
- Allow yourself to fully immerse in the experience, imagining every detail vividly.
- Spend 5 minutes in this calming visualization.
This practice allows your brain to shift from worry mode to relaxation mode.
