3 Simple Steps to Slow Down Anxious Thoughts in under 5 Minutes
By Orit Krug | November 22nd, 2018
Let’s slow down anxious thoughts. When your thoughts are going at the speed of light and they’re just BOOM, boom, boom non-stop…
Here’s a quick movement hack to help you slow them down so you can feel more calm.
Step 1: Think about the speed of your thoughts
Think about the speed of your thoughts right now, especially if they’re going super fast right at this moment.
Even if your thoughts are more calm right now, this is still a great time to mimic how fast your thoughts are when you’re feeling super anxious.
Because when you’re calm, your nervous system is regulated, and your brain can actually process this new information and internalize this strategy in your body.
Step 2: Move the speed of your thoughts (shown in video)
Move at the speed of the thoughts when they are running and racing.
Start by walking the speed of your thoughts when they’re racing.
If you’re feeling extra adventurous, mimic the direction your thoughts are going. Maybe they’re going around in circles. Maybe they’re going back and forth like a ping-pong ball.
Step 3: Slow down your movement for slower thoughts
Whatever speed you’re walking or moving at – slow it down very gradually.
How slow can you go?!
If you played with the pattern, you can also change the pattern into a more focused and direct path to get your mind focused as well.
(If any of this confusing, it’s MUCH clearer if you watch it in the video above)
Optional Step 4: Bonus Focus
I just want to give a little disclaimer that for about half of my clients, slowing down movements helps them slow down anxious thoughts and feel more focused.
BUT, it’s common that slowing down movement actually ramps up anxious thoughts. Because the less busy we are, the more we can leave room for thinking. So if this sounds like you, I have a little trick to help with that.
When you’re walking, focus your thoughts on the actual walking and be really literal about be simple about it.
So, “I’m walking slowly. My foot is going in front of the other.” Be really specific about it: “My left foot is walking in front of my right foot now…” and “my heel touches the ground before the ball my foot does.”
It doesn’t matter the exact words you say, just describe your actions in detail so that you’re still bringing your attention to your movements and to your body. When you’re narrate the details, your thoughts will slow down and become laser-focused.
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