When you’re anxious, angry, or stressed out, your brain and body respond accordingly.

Your brain automatically looks for the negative. It’s your brain’s way of helping you detect more danger so it can keep you safe. But the more you dwell on the negative and overlook the positive, the more your feelings will intensify.

Your body will also attempt to help you respond to danger by ramping up. Your heart might beat faster. Your blood pressure might rise. And stress hormones get released throughout your body.

As your body responds, it sends an even bigger signal to your brain that you must be on high alert for danger. 

Fortunately, there’s a simple but helpful exercise that can calm your brain and your body instantly. It takes less than 60 seconds, and it can send signals to your brain that it’s OK to calm down.

In today’s episode, I share the exercise and explain the science behind why it’s so effective.