THE WORLD ISN’T ENDING 3 Strategies to Reduce Anxiety
challenging at first, it will become easier with practice.
Face Anxiety Head-On Many people try to avoid anything that could make them feel anxious. While this method may make you feel short-term comfort, it can cause you to be more anxious about specific scenarios. The best strategy to overcome anxiety is to face it head-on. Although it will be uncomfortable and challenging, don’t let it stop you! The more you put yourself out there, the less anxious you’ll feel.You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for!
When most people think of anxiety, they likely have negative connotations tied to it. Many make the assumption that anxiety will always lead to panic attacks and fears of major change, but just about anything can generate feelings of anxiety, and not all of them are harmful. However, if your anxiety stops you from doing something, it can hinder you almost every day. In honor of May being National Anxiety Month, here are three ways to reduce your anxiety. Daily Exercise Physical activity can increase your self- confidence, improve your mood, help you relax, and lower anxiety symptoms.You don’t have to do anything significant — you can go for a walk, take a hike, conduct at-home
workouts, go to the gym for at least 30 minutes, or participate in yoga and Pilates. Meditate Sometimes, taking a step back, focusing on your breathing, and letting your thoughts flow in one ear and out the other can help you put things in perspective. JAMA Internal Medicine published an article
stating that practicing mindfulness can help ease feelings of anxiety, depression, and pain. You can meditate by following a guided meditation or silently sitting in a quiet area and breathing slowly. While meditating will be
Please contact your health care provider if
you’re worried about the anxious feelings you get. They can assist you with identifying your triggers, why anxiety is occurring, and methods you can use to reduce your symptoms.
A Word From Cheyenne & Ashlee
Alleviate Your Fear of the Dentist Today
If just the thought of visiting the dentist sends chills
from the procedure. In fact, keeping your hands and mind occupied can work wonders.
down your spine, you aren’t alone. In fact, dentophobia, or fear of the dentist, affects roughly 36% of the American population. Some fear that the procedures will be painful, while others may be afraid of what the dentist will find. However, our team here at Elkins Dental is prepared to help alleviate any concerns or emotional distress surrounding your visit. However, one thing is certain — the longer you procrastinate, the more likely it is that problems will arise. To ease your dental anxiety, we have some tips to offer to ensure that we can take the best care of you. Let us know. If you have dental anxiety or fear, please let us know. Discussing your concerns helps us come up with a plan and coping strategies to make your visit as comfortable as possible. Be sure to ask tons of questions because knowing exactly what to expect can alleviate anxiety and the fear of the unknown. Bring distractions. Whether it’s listening to music to drown out the sound of the drill or other dental tools, focusing on something else can help distract you
Be mindful. Relying on mindfulness techniques can help to relax your racing mind and tense muscles. Try counting your breaths, meditating, and concentrating on physically relaxing your body from your head to your toes. Remember that we are here to help you keep your dental health a top priority. There is no need to ever feel embarrassed or stressed out. Let us know what we can do to ease any dental anxiety you may have.
–Cheyenne & Ashlee Registered Dental Hygienists
2 | Elkins Dental
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