Be Alert, These 4 Calming Activities Can Trigger Anxiety

Illustration of writing a journal (image: Pexels/Mikail Nilov)

JAKARTA - When you feel tired and full of pressure, your body's reactions usually look for things or activities that can calm you down. However, it should be noted that not all activities are considered calming and can really make the body and mind more peaceful.

Some activities that are considered calm can actually trigger anxiety without realizing it. Here are some of these activities that should be watched out for, quoted from Huffpost, on Thursday, August 7, 2025.

1. Scrolling social media

Spending time with social media scrolling seems relaxed and calming. However, this activity can turn out to be a trap that exacerbates anxiety, especially if you continue to see negative news or content that makes you compare yourself to others.

Consumption of negative content repeatedly can trigger stress and overthinking. So, if you want peace of mind by looking at social media, you should select the content you consume.

2. Journaling which focuses on negative things

Writing a journal is an activity that can help express emotions so that the body and mind feel calmer. However, things written in the journal must also be considered, avoid writing negative things.

Journaling habits with a focus on negative things can make you stuck in a cycle of bad thoughts. The brain will continue to repeat negative narratives without a solution, which in turn adds to anxiety.

3. Excessive sleep

Sleep may be the choice of many people to rest and calm the body. However, sleep must also be done with the right duration, because if it is excessive it can make the body more weak and anxious.

Body netizen rhythm can become chaotic and you wake up empty or confused. Oversleeping can also be a sign of unresolved anxiety, not a solution to overcome it.

4. Meditation by force

Activities that are commonly recommended to calm the mind are meditation. However, when doing meditation, the mind must be focused and calm, to run well and have maximum results.

Meditation should be a acceptance space, not forcing. If you just start it and expect instant results, it could be a new source of stress.