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Anxiety is such a common condition that many "experts" have developed theories for how to treat anxiety that are simply designed to take advantage of you in your desperate condition. There are lots of examples of products that are simply ineffective. They claim to help with anxiety but ultimately do nothing. At best, they temporarily relieve your through the placebo effect. But there's an interesting anxiety reduction strategy that sounds far out there, as though it couldn't possibly work. Yet it's not a product at all. It goes by many different names, but it's essentially called the "wristband" technique, and it can help many people control their overall anxiety levels. A Wrist Band? For Anxiety?An anxiety wristband is not an anxiety treatment. It's not some new age treatment like those magnets that people put on their arms to reduce stress. In fact, it doesn't have to be a wristband at all. Many people use rubber bands or hair bands. Anything that can go on your wrists can potentially provide the same benefit. Living in Your Own HeadOne of the major issues that affects those with anxiety is this feeling that they're inside of their own head. They feel like they're unable to experience the world, and that they're so lost in thought that they cannot seem to focus and enjoy life. The wristband anxiety treatment is designed to take you out of your own head and snap you back into reality. It's a physical reminder designed to get you to stop over-thinking and prevent anxiety from getting worse. You use the technique as follows:
Then, when you experience symptoms anxiety, snap it again and repeat to yourself what you need to remember, whether it's the affirmation or the tips for overcoming your panic attack or anxiety. How Do These Wristband Treatments Work?These wristbands and rubber bands are not doing anything magical. They're not claiming to be able to suck your anxiety out or change your spirit. They have nothing to do with "toxins." What they are is the type of reminder that those with anxiety need in order to help overcome their symptoms. Living with anxiety requires far too much thinking. These rubber bands, and the little bit of pain that snapping them back on your arm causes, help bring you back to reality so that your thoughts are not causing you to feel like things around you are crashing. They are a great tool to remind you of something you need to remember, and they're nondescript - meaning they're one of the few anxiety treatments that few others will be able to notice, and they can be done almost anywhere. Anxiety wristbands can be made yourself and are a great tool for associating yourself with a stress free idea. The more you bring yourself out of your own head, the easier time you'll have coping with your anxiety. Of course, these elastic wristbands are not an anxiety cure. They're more of a relaxation strategy. Combine with smart anxiety treatments and you may be able to substantially reduce symptoms of anxiety.
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Calm Clinic is a free mental health resource site. It was founded in March 2009. At CalmClinic, we believe that information is only as helpful as its accuracy. That is why all of the content that we publish is always reviewed and analyzed by professionals in the psychology and healthcare fields. © 2009-2022 Calm Clinic. All rights reserved. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Calm Clinic does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. See additional information. Why do people put hair ties on their wrist?Many women — and increasing numbers of men — adorn their wrists with hairbands, allowing them to pull back their hair in a flash. Most don't even give them a second thought, wearing the elastic bands to bed, the gym, work or even on date night.
Why do people snap rubber band on their wrist?In order to curb the desire to self-harm, some mental health professionals suggest using alternative coping mechanisms, such as snapping a rubber band on your wrist to mimic the sensation of cutting.
What happens if you leave a hair tie on your wrist?“A hair tie may cause a cut or an abrasion on your wrist after chronically rubbing on your wrist,” she says. “If the cut is deep enough, it can allow bacteria that normally live on the skin, or potentially dangerous pathogens such as MRSA or E. coli, to penetrate to deeper layers where they do not belong.
How does snapping a rubber band on your wrist help with anxiety?They recommend this simple aversion-therapy trick: "Place a rubber band on your wrist, and every time that you start feeling stressed, lightly snap it. The idea is that your brain will subconsciously start avoiding the stimulus (in this case, stress) to prevent the unpleasant snapping of the rubber band."
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