Anxiety is a common experience for all of us, whether it stems from a specific situation, such as going to school or a job interview, or is something more ephemeral. It is your body’s natural response to stress. Monique from Beautiful Minds, spoke with us at the HFA conference about anxiety, and how we can overcome it.
Watch her presentation where she explores wellbeing and mental health and shows some simple techniques to feel calmer and more relaxed.
What are her top tips for alleviating anxiety?
The Body Thump Technique
- Stand up
- Place one palm out
- Form a fist with your hand
- Gently thump your fist up and around your body
Face Tapping
- Spot pressure with your fingerprints along your face
- Lightly tap with your fingers
Breathing
- Inhale through your nose
- Exhale through your mouth, with your lips pinched like they’re holding a straw
STOP Strategy
- S – STOP
- T – Take long, slow breaths out
- O – Observe your surroundings
- P – Proceed
54321 Activity
- 5 things you can see
- 4 things you can feel
- 3 things you can hear
- 2 things you can smell
- 1 thing you can taste
Ice Technique
Simply hold some ice in your hand. This:
- Lowers your temperature
- Stops the adrenaline
- Hones your focus – it’s the only thing you can feel
Colour Walk
- Go for a 10 minute walk around your block and count how many different colours you see
Write and Rip
- Write down your fears and then rip them up. This gets them out of your head and onto paper.
The Calm Palm
- Hold one hand up
- With your other hand, use your pointer finger to trace your hand
Beautiful Minds also assisted us during the conference with a three-part workshop focused on mental health and wellbeing. The workshop was free to all young people aged 10-30, run by HFA with the support of an education grant provided by CSL Behring.
If you are concerned about your anxiety, please reach out to a loved one or talk to your GP.
Who else can you talk to?
There are several support agencies where you can have a chat anonymously on the phone or online, for example
- Lifeline Australia – phone 13 11 14
- Kids HelpLine – phone 1800 55 1800
- ReachOut
- Beyond Blue
