Feel anxious? Here are some ways to calm down

As you feel your anxiety level rising, try to practise 'self-interruption'. Go for a walk. Call a friend. Run an errand. Just move your body and become aware of your breathing. "I think people really need to move away from wherever it is they are and break the momentum," said Rev. angel Kyodo Williams, a meditation teacher and author of the book Radical Dharma.

Numerous studies support the notion that spending time in nature and walking on quiet, tree-lined paths can result in meaningful improvements to mental health, and even physical changes to the brain. Even looking at pictures of nature can improve your mood.

Many of us are vertical breathers: When we breathe, our shoulders rise and fall, and we’re not engaging our diaphragm. To better relax, learn to be a horizontal breather. Inhale and push your belly out, which means you’re using your diaphragm. Exhale and your middle relaxes. If you breathe diaphragmatically, you are more prone to be calmer.

Accepting the present doesn’t mean giving up if things didn’t go your way. In fact, you’ll be more effective at pursuing change if you accept the situation. Thinking about history and those who have faced hardship in the past can help you gain perspective, accept current events and make plans to pursue change.